Philippines: 207 of 236 solons back English as medium of instruction

[Harold Schiffman]

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20071217-107232/207_of_236_solons_back_English_as_medium_of_instruction

207 of 236 solons back English as medium of instruction


By Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer

Posted date: December 17, 2007


MANILA, Philippines--A BILL SEEKING to reinstate English as the medium
of instruction in Philippine schools is gathering steam at the House
of Representatives. The so-called "English Bill" of Cebu Rep. Eduardo
Gullas has attracted 206 coauthors, a number its principal proponent
said all but assured its passage. There are 236 congressmen. As House
Bill No. 305, it seeks to supersede the government's existing
"bilingual" policy, which allows the use of English and Filipino as
the mediums of instruction.

The bill instead assigns English as the sole medium from Grade 3 to
fourth year high school, while keeping the current language policy for
college students. Under the measure, schools will be given the option
of using English, Filipino or a regional language to teach subjects
from preschool to Grade 2. It also prescribes the teaching of English
and Filipino as separate subjects throughout elementary and high
school, while seeking to "enliven" English as the "language of
interaction in schools."



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