Pasig LGU pushing data-driven approach to education system
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto shared that the local government unit (LGU) is pushing for a more data-driven or evidence-based approach to improve and strengthen the education system in the city’s schools.
In a panel at the 2023 Washington Sycip National Education Summit hosted by Synergia Foundation, Sotto emphasized the importance of data collection and analysis in governance, especially in determining policy directions for the city.
“Ngayon nasa punto tayo na dinidemand talaga natin sa lahat ng opisina, ahensya, proyekto natin na maayos yung datos natin. Maayos yung datos pagdating sa sitwasyon, input ng LGU and other stakeholders. Maayos din dapat yung sukat natin of the results or the output (Now we are at a point where we are really demanding all of our offices, agencies, and projects to organize and efficiently process data. The data is organized in terms of its status, inputs from the LGU and other stakeholders, and the measurements of results or outputs)," said Sotto.
Data is essential in determining whether programs or policies that have been implemented are effective or not. In the past, Sotto said they have experienced challenges in gathering data for some of their projects.
He cited the Malusog na Batang Pasigueño (MBP), the local government's nutrition program first launched during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, wherein students in their locality are given food packs and vitamins. He said it was difficult to determine the program's overall efficiency since they couldn't weigh the students due to the physical distancing mandates at that time.
Another example shared by the mayor was the lack of complete data gathered for the local government's summer reading camps in 2021 and 2022. The reports stated information on the number of student attendees, the activities done during their sessions, the feedback gathered from surveys answered by participants, parents, teachers, and other affiliated persons. However, no data was presented on the improvement of the students' reading levels or comprehension.
To address this, Sotto said the local government has proposed pre- and post tests for this year's summer reading camp in order to gauge the students' reading skills and capabilities, and find out the program's weaknesses and rooms for improvement.
Last July 5, the Pasig government inaugurated the City-Wide Land Information Management and Automation (CliMA) project, which aims to help centralize data, streamline information, and digitize services for all local government offices and departments. Through CliMA, the government is undertaking the use of "advanced technology-based tools” that are capable of conducting extensive electronic mapping solutions, graphic visualization, analysis, computing and other automation operations.
Inclusive governance
By creating a centralized database for the local government that enables collaboration and sharing of data and tools, the mayor noted his administration's focus on implementing inclusive governance and long-term objectives and goals.
"We are bringing everyone in. Making sure we are inclusive in our decision-making. Inclusive in the sense that all different sectors are involved in policy-making, and following the ideas of the expanded local school boards and school governance councils," Sotto said.
"We try our best in whatever we do, not only in the field of education but whether livelihood, information services, business permit and licensing, we make it a point to also think about the long-term. We try to make sure that everything is aligned. For education, the end goal isn't just that they can read and get educated but they can have better lives, so we can alleviate poverty and make sure the quality of life is better," he added.
Meaningful dialogue
Throughout his political career, particularly as a two-term mayor of Pasig, Sotto said the ideals of transparent and good governance, and accessible quality education are very clear and known by all stakeholders, but so are the problems that persist in the education sector.
In order to resolve these issues, he said everyone must look at the root causes of the problems stemming from "our culture and society" such as corruption, patronage politics, and power politics or "palakasan," and have open, meaningful dialogue to discuss them.
"The first step is to acknowledge where our weaknesses are and problems lie, and know what we can do to change them," he said.
"We can't turn a blind eye on these things…Alam po natin totoo yan, at yan po ang kailangan natin basagin. We all have a part. Pag pinagsama-sama natin ang expertise, conviction, kaalaman, at resources natin, unti-unti makakarating rin po tayo doon (We know it's true, and that is what we need to break. We all have a part. If we combine our expertise, conviction, knowledge, and resources, little by little we will reach our goals)," Sotto added.
Sotto was joined by La Union Governor Raphaelle Ortega-David and Victorias, Negros Occidental Mayor Javi Benitez during the panel at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Synergia Foundation's 2023 Washington Sycip National Education Summit gathered all education sector stakeholders, leaders, partners, and advocates to discuss significant issues in the present education system, build and form networks, engage with multi-sectoral insights on the field of education, and promote inclusive education.