"Classes are suspended for one week." The students jumped with joy. Little did we know that that little break would create the most impact on our educational system. The COVID-19 pandemic drastically disrupted education systems worldwide, and Filipino learners faced an especially significant setback. From March 2020 to November 2022, the Philippines had a prolonged halt in face-to-face learning and was one of the last nations to reopen in-person classes. On the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings, the Philippines placed 77th out of 81 countries, a sobering reflection of how much Filipino students lagged behind students worldwide.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), for the school year 2024–2025, 18.3 million students will attend the public school system alone. Urgent action is needed to close these learning gaps. A critical opportunity lies in this daunting scenario for stakeholders across the education sector. We must come together and create a more resilient and inclusive learning environment.
Rex Education: A Legacy of Learning Solutions
For over seven decades, Rex Education has been at the forefront of supporting Filipino learners. Since beginning as a textbook distributor in the 1950s, Rex Education has become a leading academic publisher. Through the Rex E-Store, the organization continues to provide a wide range of educational materials and innovative learning solutions to classrooms nationwide.
Long before the pandemic, Rex Education launched Schoology in 2015 when it recognized the need for digital transformation in education. Schoology is one of the Philippines’ pioneering learning management systems (LMS). It is designed as a digital classroom with features that make learning accessible, engaging, and, most of all, adaptive.
Preparing for a Hybrid Future
As education embraces hybrid models combining traditional and digital approaches, Schoology remains a vital platform. It empowers learners to catch up on lost time while equipping them with 21st-century skills. “Technology cannot be an add-on; it’s a necessity,” Rex Education emphasized, underscoring its commitment to integrating flexible learning solutions into mainstream education.
Through First Eduspec Inc. (FEI), the organization introduces an ICT and robotics curriculum to address critical areas like math and science gaps. These initiatives aim to prepare Filipino students for the demands of a technology-driven future while fostering problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
The journey to recovery for Filipino learners demands a collective effort. Rex Education’s initiatives exemplify the proactive steps needed to address the current challenges. By uniting resources, expertise, and commitment, the learning community can ensure that today’s learners recover from past disruptions and thrive in a future prosperous with possibilities.
“Para sa bata, para sa mamamayan, para sa bayan,” Rex Education continues to uphold its mission, inspiring hope and resilience for Filipino learners nationwide.