The Philippines was one of only three countries in the world and the only one in Asia that still had only 10 years in basic education.
This has always been seen as a disadvantage for our students who are competing in an increasingly global job market. The longer educational cycle of the K 12 curriculum is seen as critical in giving Filipino students a higher quality of education.
A recent change in the Philippines’ educational system was implemented starting in 2011. President Aquino signed the K 12 education into law in 2013, adding three years to the country’s basic education curriculum.
The new K 12 curriculum guide requires all Filipino students to have one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary schooling (grades 1 to 6), four years of junior high school (grades 7 to 10), and two years of senior high school (grades 11 to 12).
The main reason of implementing k12 is not just to add 2 more years in our basic education but to mold a globally competitive individual that will soon represent our country. Another goal of K-12 is to spread out lifelong learning. Learning that they will, they can apply in their daily lives that will eventually help them to face every circumstances in life.
Our role as a teacher is to prepare our students for the 21st century learning, to make that possible we must consider the seven C’s of teaching: Critical Thinking and Doing; Creativity; Collaboration; Cross-cultural Understanding; Communication; Computing/ ICT Literacy; Career and Learning Self-Reliance.
If we considered those skills there will be a globally competitive outcomes in our students. They will be possessed with this skills: Problem solver; Inventive thinking; Effective Communicator; Responsablengmamamayan; GanapnaPilipinong may kapakipakinabangnaLiterasi.
We must also know our key roles in K-12 Curriculum. We, teachers, have three key roles, as the facilitator, assessor and as a designer because we are the one who took control. But always remember it must be student-centered. Forget the spoon-feeding technique. Feed them with knowledge as well as values in life.
To teach is not just to teach, it is to touch lives.
By: Benjun S. Marticio
