“An initiative for the better” - compare and contrast essay

After the controversial term of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President Benigno Aquino III was next to take the seat of power. And for every term people expects what miracle can the president do in 100 days. Probably after the economic crisis on GMA’s term, President PNOY will have to do a lot of adjusting, considerably a lot of miracles. With a country engulfed in corruption, I think it is about time that the new administration focuses on something that will fortify this nation’s creed, as Jose Rizal quoted: “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”. With this I would like to compare on the standing of education on both terms, and contrast to whom may which had given a better project proposal in terms of youth’s cognitive perception and basic education.

Ex- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inherited a state that belonged to a corrupt and gambling lord president. She was the second woman president, and just like as Cory Aquino was, she replaced an impeached leader, and this was back on 2001. After finishing Estrada’s term, she ran and had an alleged victory. And for that, she officially became the 14th president of the Philippines on 2004
On the first 100 days of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, she pursued the project she implemented even back when she was a senator in 1997, and this is the project known as the Net 21. It aims to prepare the Filipino youth for the 21st century. And by doing so, the mission of the Net 21 project is to make the youth globally aware, promote skill relevance and basic education, and finally build the values and community the youth is involved. She also initiates in Educational reforms that concerns various issues regarding our educational system today. [1][2] This includes the problems to be solved which are the following: the teacher benefits, lack of school facilities, and low quality books in the public schools. This reform also emphasizes the return of English as a medium of instruction[3] , which caught the advocate’s attention.[4]

Today, the most controversial issue happening right now is the plan of the implementation of the k-12 basic education system. Wherein the basic education system will have additional years and these are the: Grade 7 and 5th year. It is believed by PNOY that the curriculum of today is unable to reach world standards since it is being all stuffed on the 10 years of education, and this is not enough to cover everything. This is a project that President PNOY wants to pursue. However, compared to the first 100 days initiative of the Arroyo government, this was not warmly welcomed by the Filipinos, as PNOY was not able to substantiate he’s reason for this proposal.[5]

For my educated opinion, compared to President Aquino, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is more substantial with her plans on her first 100 days as president. She instead thinks of improving the welfare of teachers and students first rather than being pessimistic of the Filipino education standards in terms of global competitiveness. On the other hand, PNOY rashly decides to add up 2 more years in basic education without proving substantial facts of why the Basic education shall be extended. The society needs the youth more than they were needed before. If we do not change for the better, what will the youth be of the next generations? This is why our leaders must make a stand, a stand that will rise up our nation for the better of everyone.

1 PHILIPPINE president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_presidents/President_arroyo/initiatives.html[Accessed 10 March 2011]

2 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.macapagal.com/gma/initiatives/net21.php [Accessed 10 March 2011]

3 PHILIPPINE president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_presidents/President_arroyo/initiatives.html[Accessed 10 March 2011]

4 A Response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directing the Department of Education to “Return English as Primary Medium of Instruction”, (n.d.), Anon, University of the Philippines [online] Available at: http://www.up.edu.ph/oldsystem/proenglish.htm [Accessed 10 March 2011]

5 Noynoy 100 Days Report: Aquino tongue-tied, jumpy logic on K-12, 2010, Anon, League of Filipino Students [online] Available at: http://www.lfs.ph/2010/10/08/noynoy-100-days-report-aquino-tongue-tied-jumpy-logic-on-k-12/ [Accessed 10 March 2011]