Pioneering K to 12

Some quarters still oppose the K-12, the education program of the Aquino Administration. There are those who want a miracle cure that will by itself instantly heal all the ailments affecting basic education. They demand profits that K-12 reduces the classroom shortage, improve the teachers’ quality, raise learning
outcome among the students.

Others criticize the government’s haste in implementing the program with accusations that they are creating new scheme, but losing focus on what truly ails the current school system – the lack of quality education.

In the meantime, the rest of the world has implementing K-12 system. Do we need to do more research about this? The entire world, of course, can be completely wrong about K-12. But, we are not determining the truth of K-12 as a law or principle that must have universal application. We are considering the dvantages and efficiency of a practical system that will be better managed by some groups rather than others.

A number of our ambassadors have shown concern that our 10-year basic education curriculum will work against the interest of Filipino workers seeking employment abroad. It was said that Filipinos are not automatically recognized as professionals abroad. Add the fact that our shorter years of schooling breed younger graduates.
Most of whom are younger than the legal limit of 18 to enter the workforce and arguably, not as emotionally developed for the higher demands and entrepreneurship call for. Two additional years at high school will be given students going to Philippine schools will begin college better prepared to handle tertiary level materials. If colleges and universities do the right thing, they may be able to complete most college courses in a shorter period of time and therefore, at a lower cost.

This new program is concern with the competitiveness of the country’s human resources, with the effectiveness of its higher education system and with issues of equity and inclusive development.

Words: A. C. Lacsina