Although keen to participate in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) has decided to submit an official position for a one-year postponement of the next round of the PISA due to the COVID-19 situation.
The COVID-19 pandemic created uncertainties and constraints on the movement of people, and presents additional challenges for the PISA preparations globally. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) PISA is now consulting country participants on the administration of PISA 2021.
Should OECD PISA decide to push through with the test in 2021, the Department will keep its options open on whether to proceed or withdraw from PISA 2021, based on the developments of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Still, DepEd is eager to join PISA, after thorough deliberation and review of the results of the informal survey on the matter conducted among Execom members, Central Office and Regional Directors, and major partners in education, and taking into consideration the update on ongoing preparations.
Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones cited the overwhelming support of, and commitment for cooperation and help from, civil society and professional organizations, as well as the multilateral and bilateral partners, as DepEd’s impetus for participating in the next round of PISA.
In her address to the Mancom, Secretary Briones said: “We do not expect that by next round we will become number one. But we believe that it is possible not to be last or second to the last this time. The entire Department will be involved in the preparations for PISA. Nakita natin kung saan kulang, nakikita natin kung saan malakas. We also saw that, even as we landed at the bottom of the list, we have select schools that got even higher than OECD average scores. With enough preparation, kaya ng mga schools natin mag-improve. Pero kailangang tutukan ang mga schools na kailangan ng tulong.”
The Secretary directed Undersecretaries Diosdado San Antonio and Nepomuceno Malaluan to lead the necessary preparations for the conduct of PISA.
Ongoing preparations are focused on the following: development of modules for the awareness and deeper understanding of teachers and students of the PISA test; mapping of the PISA test frameworks against the K to 12 curriculum; and, familiarization with the PISA test approach and computer-based testing.
April 11, 2020
Source: DepEd
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