SOMETIME ago, Congress announced that it was convening Education Commission (EdCom) 2. And everybody was excited — at least those who cared about the state of education, for there is so much that needs repairing, even overhauling or dismantling. But it has been months, and we have not heard from it since.

Earnestness means preparedness to take the bold, probably painful, steps necessary to address what is dysfunctional about education — such a crucial component of Philippine society. If legislators keep to themselves, not much will be accomplished. They are not in the classrooms. They neither teach nor study.