On Wednesday, Senator Pia Cayetano called on parents and guardians to prepare their children for the future by equipping them with essential 21st-century skills. This includes competencies in communication, collaboration, adaptability, and the capacity to work in diverse environments. Cayetano emphasized that learning multiple languages plays a crucial role in cultivating these abilities.
During the Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing, focused on the state of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Mother Tongue – Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) program, Cayetano observed how fluency in English has helped Filipinos secure various jobs globally.
“I am shocked when I talk to young people. They are able to find jobs all over the world while staying at home, surrounded by their loved ones. We’re creating jobs here in the Philippines, and the English language has been pivotal in this,” stated Cayetano in her opening remarks.
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Looking ahead, she underlined the importance of proficiency in key global languages such as English, Spanish, and Mandarin. “The future is speaking the top languages of the world. We are already accustomed to English, but diversification is key,” she added.
Since 1987, the Philippines has been implementing a bilingual education program in elementary schools using the country’s two official languages, Filipino and English. However, in 2009, DepEd began developing the MTBMLE program through Department Order No. 74, with implementation commencing in 2012.
MTBMLE employs both the learner’s mother tongue and additional languages in the classroom. This approach allows learners to commence their education in their mother tongue, fostering a robust foundation in their native language before introducing additional ones.
However, the program has faced implementation challenges, particularly in linguistically diverse areas where learners are not fluent in the language used for instruction and textbooks. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the committee chair, addressed these issues in a privilege speech last month.
Amidst the concerns over the program’s effectiveness, calls have been made either for the suspension of the MTBMLE under Republic Act 10533, or for the program to be recalibrated.
As the debate continues, Cayetano’s stance on enhancing 21st-century skills through multilingual education underscores the critical role language plays in a rapidly globalizing world.
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