Malacañang rejected claims that the country is experiencing an education crisis after a TV show contestant admitted to not being "very knowledgeable" about the Commission on Elections (Comelec), saying it was up to students to be aware of the societal issues.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this as Filipinos online debate about the status of the country's education system after the 20-year-old noontime show contestant said she lacked knowledge about the Comelec after she was asked to give the poll body a message.

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 6, Castro said the said contestant's lack of knowledge is not a reflection of the country's education system.

"Ang pagkukulang ng isang tao hindi naman agad-agad ito magre-reflect ng kakulangan ng ginagawa ng pamahalaan para maiangat ng level ng ating edukasyon (The shortcomings of a person do not immediately reflect the government's deficiencies in raising the level of our education)," she said.

"Hindi po nababahala ang ating Pangulo dahil sa atin po, sa panahon po ngayon, lahat po ng paraan ay ginagawa po natin para maiangat po ang level ng ating edukasyon (The President is not bothered by this because we are doing everything to elevate the quality of our education)," she added.

However, Castro believed that students should be proactive when it comes to learning about their surroundings, even if the government's functions are already being taught in schools.

"Kung meron mang pagkukulang siguro, malamang ay ito na rin po ay dapat manggaling sa mga estudyante, sa mga bata, na nandoon din po yung kanilang pagsisikap (If there is any shortcoming, perhaps it should also come from the students, from the children, that their effort should be present as well)," she said.

"Maaari naman niyang i-level up ang kanyang sarili, lalong-lalo na marami na tayong nagpag-aaralan through Internet (One can level himself up, especially now that we can learn through the Internet)," she added.

Despite this, Castro said the government is ready to address any needs to elevate the quality of the country's education system. She cited as an example President Marcos' recent order to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to allocate P700 million to fund the construction of early child development centers in 229 identified low-income local government units (LGUs).

Early this week, Castro recognized that not everybody finds the events in the country concerning. However, she said it was important for the country's youth to be involved in the country's affairs.

"Maganda po talaga, lalo sa mga kabataan natin, na ma-involve sa mga nangyayari sa atin sa bansa (It's better especially for the youth to be involved in the country's affairs)," she said.  

"Mas maganda eh makasama rin po ito sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante para po maging aware din po sila... sa nangyayari sa atin sa current events (It's better if we include it in our students' lessons so they will be aware of the current events)," she added.