In 2015, teachers will still be using blackbiards and books, although they will increasingly be supplementing these with Powerpoint and Internet resources. [photo by Jose Enrique Soriano]

CRUZ IS confident that the scenario he envisions is feasible and can be realized in 10 years. It helps that DepEd itself has improved much in the last several years, leading many to be more optimistic about the future of education in this country. It is even likely that genuine collaboration between public and private education sectors will grow, as each focuses on contributions rather than blame.

For DepEd projects and programs undersecretary Fe Hidalgo, however, the "most exciting development" is that the department has "become more open and transparent to the public. We tell them everything we do, and we try to initiate change. Even if we have to take the flak, then so be it."

Hidalgo says those who have led DepEd in the last few years were notably prone to initiating major projects that have turned out to be very good for the system. For example, she says, among those begun by Secretary Andrew Gonzalez was a graduate school scholarship program (in top institutions) for public-school teachers that came after the Philippines' poor performance in the Third International Math and Science Study. (My colleagues and I in the Ateneo Math Department are still involved in this endeavor.) Gonzalez also initiated the revision of the Basic Education Curriculum, which under Secretary Raul Roco was finally implemented. Secretary Edilberto de Jesus pushed for the bridge program, and even if it has become optional, according to Hidalgo, 25 percent of those concerned are voluntarily adopting it, with initial modest gains in English scores. Secretary Florencio Abad has agreed not to veer away from this path, and to this end, he has retained the entire support team.

"The other development is a consequence of the first," says Hidalgo. "Since we are open to the people, then they are more inclined to reciprocate. I am happy to see now that people, especially from civil society, actually knock on our doors and ask how they can help. For example, the Chinese Filipino community has been very active in Adopt a School, from the construction of buildings to purchase of materials. Recently we launched the reading hubs, and with the help of the private sector, hopefully our children will have access to good books and learn to read by Grade 3."

Private sector involvement is crucial, since public schools are projected to vastly outnumber private institutions in the next decade. High tuition fees in private schools have already forced many students to transfer to public institutions, and this trend shows no sign of reversing. Cruz feels that aside from "a few top schools like Ateneo or La Salle, most private schools are losing their competitive edge, and may not be viable in the future."

MULTISECTORAL PARTICIPATION is already happening, and Nebres singles out the Reinventing the Naga City School Board Project. Under the auspices of Synergeia Foundation (based in the Ateneo Professional Schools), this program was led by Mayor Jesse Robredo, aided by Ford Foundation, and supported by DepEd.

"Through the establishment of local school boards, local government units (LGUs) are given part of the responsibility for delivering basic education," explains information material from Synergeia. "The board receives a mandated budget from a one percent tax on real property known as the Special Education Fund (SEF) tax. A proactive school board functions beyond budgeting the SEF tax. It can institute participative planning and budgeting, performance-based incentives for schools, division-wide achievement testing, transparent teacher recruitment, and efficiency in spending the SEF budget."

All of these happened in Naga. The project, says Synergeia, "was able to initiate new processes and programs, which gave the community greater voice and responsibility in the governance of education." The most convincing evidence of success? Elementary school student performance increased by 17 percent in English, 15 percent in math, and 15 percent in science.

"Improving the quality, access to, and governance of public education must be a shared responsibility," says the Foundation. "In our project, setting of rules of engagement minimizes potential conflicts. DepEd has the mandate to provide basic education. LGU is obligated to get involved because it is accountable for the SEF. As taxpayers and funders of public schools, local communities have the right to demand quality basic education."

Of course, some may insist on focusing on the present flaws in the current educational system and see the opposite of all of the above taking place instead in 2015. But Hidalgo, a DepEd veteran of more than 40 years, is stalwart-and likes to think positive. She says, "I have to admit that sometimes I get frustrated and very tired, but why am I still here? Because I believe that there is still so much I can do to help. No one is indispensable, but as long as the need is there, then so will I."

In the meantime, my preschool son has declared that he wants to be "an artist and a banker and an architect and a nose doctor!" His father teases him, "Don't you have to choose?" A tiny chin juts out as our boy issues a defiant proclamation, "On Mondays I will be in the bank, on Tuesdays I will build houses, on Wednesdays I will cure colds…"

I'm betting that in 2015, my son the college freshman will be enrolled in Interdisciplinary Management Science, major in Art, minor in Therapy. Then again, it may be the other way around.