A famous line once repeatedly uttered by many, “Change is the only permanent thing in this world”. So the system of education is on the track. A 10-year BEC program running for the long time in our country is about to end, where many professionals and successful leaders have embraced. A new curriculum, K to 12 is on its way to stardom.
Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) is a 10-year program with six years in primary schooling and four years in secondary where Kindergarten is not compulsory. With this program quality of education in the Philippines is questioned, because of the graduates who cannot compete globally to earn a decent living. That is why the Department of Education introduced the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum Program. The said program is intended to add two years in high school wherein students are going to choose whether they will be on academics or technical-vocational courses. Kindergarten is the startle of all when a kid reaches the age of 5. Every child is obliged to go pre-school, because no one is allowed to step in graders without completing the preparatory. One of the reasons why Department of Education is implementing this program is to assure that Filipino students are prepared before entering into the world of business and technology. Another one concern is to make individuals economically productive even if they leave formal schooling at any given time.That would be possible through the program since the preparation time is ample. The department wants to make our workers ready not only on the mental aspect, but also in emotional and spiritual aspects of life. The grades 11 and 12 of the program are allotted for skills development of the learners where they can get National Certificate II if they pass the assessment to be given by the assessors from TESDA. On the other track, the academics, learners will be given a chance to take subjects like Business, Accountancy, Management, Science, Technology, engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
When the curriculum of basic education in the Philippines is altered from BEC to K to 12 Program on the year 2012, many people are wondering why DepEd need to do that. Questions are prompted on the different social networking sites. Protest involving students and teachers is bannering on the television. Many people have no ideas on what will happen on the succeeding years. Philippines, being the third world country, poor families were complaining about the addition of two years in the high school and worried about financial resources. Learners whose mind set is to go four-year schooling were confused on when to finish secondary school and if they are going to continue college after a long year of waiting. Mentors were even more distracted due to the dilemma they are facing, because they don’t have trainings especially those who are teaching TLE subject. But times were gone easily and the department had constructed the set of subjects to be taken, information about the new curriculum is disseminated through television and radio, parents and DepEd stakeholders have attended seminars and have enlightened, principals, head teachers, and teachers were trained and ready to teach the new data, and students have accepted the beginning of their chosen paths.
Is three years enough or years will pass to polish the K to 12 BEC? Let us watch as it conquers the new era.
By: Mark P. Manimbo | T-III | Mariveles National Highschool Poblacion
