MANILA, Philippines – “We should stop producing athletes who are not educated.”

For Department of Education (DepEd) consultant Fr Carmelo Caluag, it’s time to stop stereotyping athletes as jocks.

The solution? A national high school system dedicated to sports-inclined students.

During a Senate hearing on Thursday, September 19, Caluag and fellow consultant Sebastian Ripoll said a sports academy system will be more effective than a Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) that lawmakers are proposing.

The measure to establish a PHSS was proposed in the previous Congress and refiled this time by 3 senators: Sen Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Sen Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Sen Pia Cayetano. 

“If we are to put up an effective sports academy, it has to be a system because one thing with sports is that you have to start as soon as possible. [In] eyeing talents, DepEd is the main structure for that,” Calauag said.

Three high schools have been identified as pilot regional campuses should a Philippine Academy for Sports System be established:

• Rizal High School in Pasig, Metro Manila
• Abellana National High School in Cebu
• General Santos City High School in South Cotabato

The proposal comes amid DepEd’s preparations the additional senior high school level, where students may choose Sports and Arts as a track of specialization.

Currently, DepEd has a special sports program in every region which Caluag said may be the foundation of the proposed system.

“You need to take young people with what their passion is, and with that passion, lead them in academics,” he said. 

Provide support system

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo Garcia said many talents are spotted in high school, but a lack of specialized support system keeps them from pursuing their sport.

“Even if you find sponsors for all these kids, you really need a holistic system to support them,” Cayetano added.

When Angara asked Garcia about the situation of high school athletes in the country, the PSC chairman said it is getting worse.

“Before, we had a lot of college students in sports, but because of economics or some [personal] problems, we have more and more athletes who are not even high school graduates.”

Palarong Pambansa deputy secretary general Cesar Abalon noted that private school athletes “have more edge” than those from public schools in the Palaro. 

“The more we need a Philippine High School for Sports: to produce athletes who will be the pride of the public school system,” Angara said.

The proposed system hopes to produce not only athletes but also sports practitioners after the curriculum, faculty development, and standards have been agreed upon. 

Cayetano asked DepEd to give their official stand on the proposal next hearing in October. – Rappler.com