We
need to add two years to our basic education. Those who can afford pay
up to fourteen years of schooling before university. Thus their children are
getting into the best Universities and the best jobs after
graduation. I want at least 12 years for our public school children to give
them an even chance at succeeding.
President
Benigno S. Aquino III
Rationale
- Enhancing
the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and critical.
- The
poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores
of Filipino students.
- Philippine
Average TIMMS Scores (Trends in International Mathematics an
Science Study)
- The
congested curriculum partly explains the present state of education.
- This
quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high
school graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher
education.
- The
current system also reinforces the misconception that basic education is
just a preparatory step for higher education.
- The
short duration of the basic education program also puts the millions of
overseas Filipino workers (OFW)
- More
importantly, the short basic education program affects the human
development of the Filipino children.
- Cognizant
of this urgent and critical concern and in line with the priorities of the
Aquino Administration, the Department of Education is taking bold
steps to enhance the basic education curriculum.
- The
Enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program seeks to provide for a quality
12-year basic education program that each Filipino is entitled to. This is
consistent with Article XIV, Section 2(1) of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution which states that
The
State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.
- K to
12 means Kindergarten and the 12 years of elementary and secondaryeducation.
Historical
Background
- As
early as 1925, studies have observed the inadequacy of the basic education
curriculum. As one of the most well studied reforms, recommendations of
either adding or restoring 7th grade or adding an extra year to
basic education have been put forward.
- Monroe
Survey (1925): Secondary education did not prepare for life and
recommended training in agriculture, commerce, and industry.
- Prosser
Survey (1930): Recommended to improve phases of vocational education such
as 7th grade shopwork, provincial schools, practical arts
training in the regular high schools, home economics, placement work,
gardening, and agricultural education.
- UNESCO
Mission Survey (1949): recommended the restoration of Grade 7.
- Education
Act. of 1953: under Section 3, mandates that
The
primary course shall be composed of four grades (Grades I to IV) and the
intermediate course of three grades (Grade V to VII).
- Swanson
Survey (1960): Recommended the restoration of Grade 7.
- Presidential
Commission to Survey Philippine education (PCSPE) (1970): High priority be
given to the implementation of an 11-year program; Recommended program
consists of 6 years of compulsory elementaryeducation
and 5 years of secondary education.
- Congressional
Commission on Education (EDCOM) Report (1991): If one year is to be added
in the education program, it recommends one of two alternatives: Seven
years of elementary education or Five years
of secondaryeducation
- Presidential
Commission on Educational Reforms (2000): Reform proposals include the
establishment of a one-year pre-baccalaureate system that would also bring
the Philippines at par with other countries.
Where
are we at now?
- Insufficient
mastery of basic competencies due to congested curriculum. 12 years
curriculum is being delivered in 10 years.
- High
school graduates are younger than 18 years old and lack basic competencies
and maturity. They cannot legally enter into contracts and are not
emotionally mature for entrepreneurship/employment.
- Other
countries view the 10-years education cycle as insufficient.
What
is K to 12?
- K to
12 means Kindergarten and the 12 years
of elementary and secondaryeducation.
- Kindergarten refers
to 5 years old cohort that takes a standardized kinder
curriculum.
- Elementary education
refers to primary schooling that involves six or seven years of education.
- Secondary education
refers to high school.
Vision
of K to 12 Education
Graduates
of Enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program will:
- Acquire mastery
of basic competencies.
- Be
more emotionally mature.
- Be
socially aware, pro-active, involve in public and civic affairs.
- Be
adequately prepared for the word of work or entrepreneurship or higher
education.
- Be
legally employable with potential for better earnings.
- Be
globally competitive.
- Every
graduate of the Enhanced K to 12 Basic Education program is an empowered
individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound
educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for
learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be
productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and
global communities, the capability to engage in autonomous critical
thinking, and the capacity to transform others and one’s self.
How
are we planning to implement the K to 12 program?
The
model that is currently being proposed by DepEd is the K-6-4-2 Model. This
model involves Kindergarten, six years of elementary education,
four years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10) and two years of senior high
(Grades 11 to 12). The two years of senior high school intend to provide time
for students to consolidate acquired academic skills and competence.
What
is Proposed implementation plan of DepEd?
K-6-4-2
MODEL
What
is Senior High School?
- 2
years of in-depth specialization for students depending on the
occupation/career track they wish to pursue.
- Skills
and competencies relevant to the job market.
- The 2
years of senior HS intend to provide time for students to consolidate
acquired academic skills and competencies.
- The
curriculum will allow specializations in Science and Technology, Music and
Arts, Agriculture and Fisheries, Sports, Business and Entrepreneurship.
Why add two more years?
- Decongest
and enhance the basic education curriculum.
- Better
quality education for all.
- Philippines
is the only remaining country in Asia with a 10-year basic education
program.
- K to12
is not new. The proposal to expand the basic education dates back to
1925
- Studies
in the Philippines have shown that an additional year of schooling
increases earnings by 7.5%.
- Studies
validate that improvements in the quality of education will increase GDP
growth by 2% to 2.2% .
- Minus
2 instead of plus 2 for those families who cannot afford a
college education but still wish to have their children find a good paying
job. Right now, parents spend for at least 4 years of college to have an
employable child. In our model, parents will not pay for 2 years of basic
education that will give them an employable child. In effect, we are
saving parents 2 years of expenses. The plan is not “Plus 2 years before
graduation” but “ Minus 2 years before work.
- Inspire
a shift in attitude that completion of high school education is more than
just preparation for college but can be sufficient for a gainful
employment or career.
What
will the society gain from K to 12?
- K to
12 will facilitate an accelerated economic growth.
- K to
12 will facilitate mutual recognition of Filipino graduates and
professionals in other countries.
- A
better educated society provides a sound foundation for long-term
socio-economic development .
- Several
studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education will
increase GDP growth by as much as 2%. Studies in the UK, India and US show
that additional years of schooling also have positive overall impact on
society.
What
Benefits will Individuals and Families get?
- An
enhanced curriculum will decongest academic workload.
- Graduates
will possess competencies and skills relevant to the job market.
- Graduates
will be prepared for higher education.
- Graduates
will be able to earn higher wages and/or better prepared to start their
own business.
- Graduates
could now be recognized abroad.
What
Do We Do From Now?
- Stakeholder
Consultations
- Curriculum
Review and Enhancement
- Financial
Study
- Teacher
Training
- Legislation
- K to
12 IEC Campaign