The Significance of Mathematics in the 21st Century Philippines

Lawrence Avillano 

2/19/17 6:46 Pm

              Philippines --------- one of Asia`s  fastest-growing economy of the 21^st century. With its rising GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as of 2015, its boosting import and export capability and its huge manpower capacity serving the country and overseas, it is not refutable that it owns the right to be called as such. The question now is, what must its people do to remain firm and have a strong hold of the claim in the fast-changing world of the 21^st century?  During the time of inconsistency when no one can clearly predict what would happen the next day.  Would it remain as such during the time where markets can be easily shaken by unpredictable events both political and natural dilemmas that can bring even the strongest economy down to the ground?

The answer is to equip its people with skills that will not let them lag behind the rapid changes and development. One vital skill and competence they must be equipped with is of mathematics.

Math skills and competence will aid its people on analyzing finance related data, which is the salt to the bread of every trade. With that, they can respond quickly and positively to major information from sources such as the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi) and other financial authorities and establishment. With the ability to analyze graphs, tables and other non-prose form of information and the knowledge of probability, they can make conclusions leading to better decisions on where to put their hard-earned money. As a result, investing will surely become a profitable endeavor.

That is the importance of mathematics on the higher level of the caste. Looking on everyday lives of the common Filipino people, knowledge of mathematics is even more significant. It will enable them to utilize financial resources wisely. One good example is the understanding of percentage, base and rate. Comprehension of those three elements will allow them to look keenly on values, compare selling price, and calculate interest, tax, discounts and of course determining if a product is being sold over price. That is just a flake from the gold bar. Mathematics can offer so much more to the 21^st century Filipinos.

Despite the fact that mathematics is of significance to the 21^st century Filipinos, sad truth has been slapping us. Surveys on numeracy, conducted by research firms both of governments and of NGOs, bear unpalatable results. Some would surely hurt our Filipino pride, stating that the numeracy skills of Filipino adults can be compared to the numeracy of grade-schoolers from other countries.

In a global survey of perceived quality of science and mathematics education which was conducted by World Economic Forum (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/gcr/2015-2016/Global_Competitiveness_Report_2015-2016.pdf), they asked business executives from each countries surveyed to rate the quality of education as they perceived. Our neighbors such as Taiwan ranked 5th, Hong Kong 11th, South Korea 12th and Singapore tops the list. Sadly, Philippines ranked 115 out of 142 countries that participated in the survey. 

Data on fourth year high school students` achievement rate in mathematics released by Dep. Ed shows a decline on achievement rate from 50.70 in 2005 to  horrifying 47.82 in 2006. The decline is consistent until it reached a pitiful 46.30% in SY 2009-2010.

Report No. 50096-PH “PHILIPPINES SKILLS REPORT (March 2010) -   Skills for the Labor Market in the Philippines by Human Development Department East Asia and Pacific Region which focus on “functional” skills that workers need to be equipped with to be employable and support firms’ competitiveness and productivity, and to the role of the education and training system in providing them, shows a considerable gap between core skills and occupations. It includes  gap in academic skills associated with subject areas such as mathematics, which is one of the skill requirements for new hires.

Standard and Poor`s  (S&P) Financial Literacy Survey Result is alarming. It shows that only 25 percent of Filipinos surveyed are financially literate. Being financially literate means that a person knows the basics of financial decision-making, including concepts such as interest compounding, inflation and risk diversification. To be able to do so one needs Mathematics.

These only show that there are existing problems on mathematics education in the country. If not mended, it will surely obstruct our country`s growth and development and of course our claim of being one of the fastest-growing economy in the region. It is because without the necessary skills, such as of Mathematics, these will surely not last in the fast-changing world of the 21^st century.

These serves as a call to arms to our general public, specially the so called Pagasa ng Bayan, the government officials and those serving the education sectors. It is the time to develop our peoples` competence and skills on Mathematics. Develop program for the common people and strengthen mathematics curriculum from elementary level up to the colleges.

It is Mathematics that will surely enable us, Filipinos, to have a strong hold on almost every fertile ground of the 21^st century.