A book that explores neoliberal education in the Philippines launched Photo taken from www.dannyarao.com As Philippine education sinks deeper and deeper into crisis with the inability of the government to sustain its Constitutional promise of education as a basic public service, the perennial problems of lack of infrastructure, shortage of books, inadequate or under-trained teachers--all owing to the insufficient budget and attention given to it by the government--Philippine education finds itself yet again in unfortunate circumstances that are as real as many might fail to imagine. Mula Tore Patungong Palengke is a book that discusses and reflects on the realities caused by the new demands of the evolving concepts of globalization to the already ailing state of Philippine education--which, as the book explores, has become more of a commodity rather than a basic social service and individual right. Education is reduced from being a public service to being a marketable good. Due to the World Bank "reform agenda" that seem to promote neoliberal-education, among many other implications, the state is gradually decreasing subsidy to public schools especially those offering higher education and leaving them to finance themselves. Not even the institution that takes pride in being the country's premier state university was able to spare itself from the effects of neoliberalism pressing against education. Just this school year, the administration of the University of the Philippines [U.P.] presided by Dr. Emerlinda Roman implemented a tuition increase of 300%, upon the recommendations of the studies made by their own School of Economics. This drastic adjustment was apparently implemented as a remedy to the decreasing government priority on education, especially to state universities and colleges, in terms of budget allocation, which may be due to the conditions set by the World Bank to borrowing countries. The book not only discusses this implication, but explores a number of other implications as well, and attempts to identify the causes and understand the circumstances. Prof. Ronald Simbulan of UP in his review of the book said that our economic system is driven by the accumulation of capital: "That is, by an attempt by a small minority of persons who own society's productive wealth to maximize both the profits and the growth of their enterprises. This drive is incessant and engulfs nearly every aspect of life in every nation on earth. The book demonstrates the centrality of the dynamics between the now globalized market economy and the institutions that it has created to perpetuate itself". Knowledge gained from classroom instruction is commodified and standardized for quicker consumption in the market. Curricula are designed to adapt to the demands of the trade, focusing on the student's employability rather than the learning itself. As education is commodified, even the "consumers" of education end up commodified as well as they penetrate the market-driven capitalist society in the neoliberal philosophy. The book of 347 pages, which Prof. Simbulan reviewed as one written "in the best tradition of progressive scholarship", was launched last July 26, 2007 at the Claro M. Recto Hall of the Faculty Center in UP Diliman. It was published by the IBON Foundation, the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND), and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). The launching was in a form of a lecture-forum attended mostly by UP students and featured some of the book's contributors: Prof. Sarah Raymundo, Prof. Edberto Villegas, Clodualdo Cabrera, and Prof. Danilo Arao. The book was edited by Ramon Guillermo, Arnold Alamon, and National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera. The University Student Council Chair of UP was also there as a reactor, with Mr. Antonio Tinio, Jr.--President of ACT. The launching and forum pushed through as planned despite an hour-long brownout. A couple of song performances provided an interlude between discussions and lectures by the speakers. Also, the mothers of missing UP students Karen Empeño and Sherilyn Cadapan, who are believed to be held captive by the military, were present and distinguished in the book launching. Prof. Alamon, one of the editors of the book, and Prof. Raymundo were the emcees. Mula Tore Patungong Palengke had its second launching last September 1, 2007 during the 28th Manila International Book Fair at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. For inquiries on the book, the publishers may be reached thru 9277060, or 9277001. Prof. Danilo Arao contributed an article to the book entitled "Deregulation at the Expense of Quality Education". References: www.dannyarao.com Prof. Roland G. Simbulan's Review www.bulatlat.com "Marketizing Higher Education: Neoliberal Strategies and Counter Strategies" article by Les Levidow TOP OF PAGE