Understanding education systems, enabling teachers and learners

EOS TRINIDAD, instructor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, believes that “education is Ateneo de Manila University’s strength, and that of all Jesuit institutions in general.” For him, leveraging this strength can bring about the possibility for societal, economic, and democratic advancement. 

It is for this reason that Trinidad, who received his Joint PhD in Sociology and Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago, pursued education policy and organizations as his research interest. “Education for me is a concrete way by which we can bring a more just world and I feel I can concretely contribute there with the skills I have as well,” he says.

More recently, he examined data from the Philippines’ participation in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This study involved a survey of 15-year-old students and factors associated with their achievement. 

What he found was that specific factors such as school climate, structural forces, and particular sectors are important predictors in education. For instance, Trinidad notes how a good number of schools in rural areas do not have enough teachers compared to those in urban areas. Understanding these specific facets and their sources could help policymakers and authorities make the necessary interventions and investments to improve the quality of education.

“What we’ve done as researchers is to provide more capacity, more ways of looking through this type of data and it’s data that can enrich the discussion,” Trinidad explains.

For Trinidad, however, he believes that his biggest contribution in terms of scholarship is in motivating and inspiring teachers and students to do good research. He has delivered dozens of seminars and talks on research, and has authored two books on the topic: Researching Philippine Realities: A Guide to Qualitative, Quantitative, and Humanities Research which won the National Book Awards for Best Book on Professions in 2019, and Error-Proofing Your Research: Common Mistakes and How to Address Them. 

These two books specifically draw on Philippine examples and experiences in discussing research and have become required reading in several colleges and high schools. “We need a body of knowledge that is responsive to our realities,” Trinidad insists.

Trinidad attributes his passion for the education sector to Ateneo’s supportive scholarly environment.

“It’s that intellectual and personal support that’s been very helpful in my trajectory as a researcher. You can’t get that community anywhere else. It’s a smart community but it’s also a caring community,” he concludes.

Get in touch with Trinidad at jtrinidad@ateneo.edu.