The Marcos Administration’s Neoliberal Turn in Education: Analyzing the

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Senator Sonny Angara as the new Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) has been met with strong opposition from various youth groups, notably Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK). This controversial decision has sparked a heated debate over the future direction of the Philippine education sector. SPARK argues that Angara’s appointment signifies a deepening of the administration’s neoliberal policies, which they believe have contributed significantly to the current education crisis in the country.

Neoliberal Policies in Education: A Historical Context

Neoliberalism in the education sector typically involves the promotion of policies that favor privatization, deregulation, and a reduction in government spending on public services. In the Philippines, these policies have manifested through legislation that has shifted the burden of education funding from the state to private entities and individuals. Critics argue that this approach has led to increased inequality and a decline in the quality of education available to the general population.

Angara’s Legislative Track Record

Sonny Angara has a legislative history that aligns closely with neoliberal economic principles. He co-authored several key pieces of legislation, including the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. Both of these laws have been criticized for being overly favorable to businesses at the expense of ordinary citizens.

TRAIN Law: The TRAIN Law, implemented in 2018, aimed to simplify the tax system and increase revenue for the government. While it successfully raised government revenues, it also led to increased prices for basic goods, disproportionately affecting low-income families.

CREATE Act: The CREATE Act, passed in 2021, reduced corporate income taxes from 30% to 20% for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 25% for large corporations. Critics argue that while this may encourage investment, it also reduces government revenue that could be allocated to essential services such as education.

The Education Crisis in the Philippines

The Philippines is currently facing a significant education crisis, characterized by inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a lack of resources. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s education budget has consistently fallen short of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation of allocating at least 6% of GDP to education. In 2023, the education budget was only 3.6% of GDP, highlighting the chronic underfunding of the sector.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing problems, leading to prolonged school closures and a shift to online learning, which many students, especially those from low-income families, were ill-equipped to handle. A survey conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that only 20% of Filipino households had access to the internet, further widening the education gap.

The Role of Privatization in Education

SPARK contends that the government’s reliance on the private sector to provide public services, including education, has worsened the crisis. They argue that privatization leads to a two-tiered education system where those who can afford private education receive a higher quality of education, while those who rely on public schools are left with substandard resources.

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, co-authored by Angara, is cited as an example of this trend. While the Act aimed to provide free tuition for students in state universities and colleges (SUCs), SPARK argues that it effectively functions as a national scholarship program that uses public funds to subsidize private schools. They claim that this absolves the government of its responsibility to adequately fund public education and fails to ensure genuine access to higher education for all.

Potential Impact of Charter Change

Another significant concern raised by SPARK is the proposed Charter Change, or RBH6, which Angara also supports. This constitutional amendment would allow for 100% foreign ownership of higher education institutions in the Philippines. Proponents argue that this would attract foreign investment and improve the quality of education through increased competition and innovation.

However, SPARK and other critics warn that this move could further entrench neoliberal policies and deepen inequalities in the education system. They fear that increased foreign ownership could lead to higher tuition fees and a greater focus on profit over the provision of quality education, making higher education even less accessible to the underprivileged.

The Call for a Publicly-Run and Funded Education System

SPARK emphasizes that resolving the education crisis requires a fundamental shift in policy away from neoliberalism and towards a publicly-run and publicly-funded education system. They advocate for increased government investment in education to ensure that all students have access to free, quality, and safe education.

One of the group’s main arguments is that the current education crisis is a direct result of long-standing government policies of deregulation, defunding, and privatization. They call for the government to fulfill its constitutional mandate to provide free and compulsory education at the elementary and high school levels and to support higher education through adequate funding and resources.

Conclusion

The appointment of Sonny Angara as the new DepEd Secretary has brought to the forefront critical issues surrounding the direction of the Philippine education system. As a proponent of neoliberal policies, Angara’s leadership is seen by many as a continuation of the trends that have contributed to the current crisis. Youth groups like SPARK are calling for a complete overhaul of these policies in favor of a more equitable and publicly-funded education system.

The debate over Angara’s appointment and the broader education policy direction in the Philippines highlights the ongoing struggle between neoliberal economic principles and the need for a robust public education system that serves all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status. As this issue continues to unfold, it will be crucial to monitor the impacts of these policies and advocate for changes that prioritize the right to education for all Filipinos.

For more information or to get involved, you can contact SPARK:

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