THE Department of Education (DepEd) has institutionalized the annual National Achievement Test (NAT) to serve as a gauge of how our learners are faring in their studies.
The test enables educators in the regional and national levels to assess the readiness of students in entering the next level of education. Also, school divisions which are tasked to implement policies such as on curriculums, grading and recognition systems, size of classes are given the opportunity to compare their operation against others, paving the way for technology transfer and educational reforms.
‘The question may be asked: Why is Eastern Visayas, which still have numerous depressed rural towns, taking the lead in middle-level education with its four school divisions in the Top 10…’
Since the National Achievement Test is taken by Grade 12 graduating students, NAT is also an effective evaluation of the success or failure of the K to 12 education policy which was adopted in 2012.
In matters of income, reputation, educational facilities and finances, provincial cities are way behind the cities in highly urbanized centers of Metro Manila and Cebu. Compared to Makati or Quezon City, the Calbayog and Maasin cities in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) are way below in terms of income, not to mention economic status.
In terms of academic performance of their students, we might say with certainty that this is the great leveler that separates the chaff from the grain.
The nationwide results of the NAT for Grade 12 students showed the rankings of the Top 10 performing schools division offices for the school year 2022-2023. First place is Calbayog City (54.17 percent) in Region 8, followed by Western Samar province (52.61) of the same region, and third, Dapitan City (49.98) in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).
Also in the top 10, from fourth to 10 places, are Makati (49.54) in the National Capital Region or Metro Manila; Maasin City (49.31) in Region 8, San Juan City (48.90) in NCR, Baguio City (48.72) the in Cordillera Administrative Region, Manila (48.4) in NCR, Surigao City (48.07) in Region 12 or Caraga, and Southern Leyte (48.02) in Region 8.
Note that four out of 10 in these top-performing school division offices are in the Eastern Visayas region.
Calbayog City Councilor Florencio Bombie, chairman of the committee on education, said the achievement “makes us proud Calbayognons.”
The councilor noted that in 2020, Calbayog City was the only school division in Region 8 which made it to the Top Ten.
The question may be asked: Why is Eastern Visayas, which still have numerous depressed rural towns, taking the lead in middle-level education with its four school divisions in the Top 10, winning over Metro Manila’s two division — the cities of Makati and Manila?
Lawmakers and education officials, especially Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, should find out how to make scientific use of the results of the national achievement test, which should complement surveys and studies on the K to 12 program in guiding our officials towards better and productive education policies.
