THE Program for International Student Assessment recently released results of the 2022 test on student creative thinking and whipped up a frenzy that ranged from self-flagellation to finger-pointing. This was expected. After all, the results showed that the Philippines was second to the last.As usual, the issue was once again politicized, with critics of the Marcos administration pointing the finger at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
We are a country known for celebrating tradition, and where conservative practices, worldviews and institutions are strong sources of influence. Even universities that are supposed to be progressive install rigid norms, such as prescribed syllabus format and content, and even pedagogical practices. There is a push to standardize everything, with the Department of Education rigidly prescribing content.