Senior high school which includes Grade 11 and 12 is the last mile of K to 12 Program. On its fifth year implementation, what are to be expect? Do these selected high schools that will cater senior high ready for grade 11 students?

                There are still many questions being thrown to DepEd about K to 12 Program even though it is almost on its full implementation, but the leading question is, “Is DepEd ready for Grade 11 and 12?

                According to Department of Education all its 211 divisions have finished planning and have figures of enrolment a year in advance. These plans were reviewed by separate teams and finalized upon consultation with other stakeholders.

                As for classrooms, DepEd has built 66,813 classrooms from 2010 to 2013. There are33, 608 classrooms completed and undergoing construction in 2014. DepEd is planning to establish 5,899 Senior High Schools nationwide and as of April 30, 2015 they have issued provincial permits to 1,866 private schools set to offer in 2016. For the teaching force, DepEd has filled 128,105 new teacher items. The department is targeting two kinds of teacher, those who will teach the core subjects and those who will teach the specialized subjects per track. DepEd will hire 37,000 teachers for Senior High School alone in 2016.

                For learning materials. They are being produced for elementary to junior high school while textbooks for Senior High School (which has specialized subjects) are being bid out. The K to 12 curriculum is standards-and competence-based. It is inclusive and built around the needs of the learners and the community. It is the first time in history that the entire curriculum is digitized and made accessible to the public.

                Now for private senior high, there are 2.199 private schools are cleared to offer Senior High School and over 200 more being processed.

                DepEd also clarified the issue that lot of people were not consulted regarding to K to 12. They said that they have been transparent in the planning and implementation of K to 12. There have been regular consultations with various sectors since 2010, before the law was passed, during the crafting of the IRR, and during implementations. DepEd representatives have also attended various fora and conferences, including legislative inquiries, regarding K to 12. The department said that they are open to criticisms and suggestions regarding that matter.

                DepEd is encouraging everyone to help improve the basic education of the Philippines. Private partners can donate through the Adopt-A-School program. A 150% tax incentive will be provided for every contribution.

                

By: MARICRIS T. REYES BONIFACIO CAMACHO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL