“The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet.”
Education equips an individual with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a functional member of a society. It is considered as one of the major factor in shaping the future of one’s country. Though Education is one of the top most priorities in our country, we need to realize that the role of educating the entire populace is indeed considered as a Herculean task that entails tremendous efforts between the government officials, educators, parents, students and other stakeholders in order for this aspiration to materialize.
Due to the increasing demand in the world market, The Department of Education together with the other learning patriots dreamed to develop learners that are fully equipped with knowledge and skills that can compete with other learners globally. Aligned with this vision, Republic Act 10533 was created, an Act enhancing the Philippine Basic Education System by strengthening its curriculum and increasing the number of years for basic education.
Despite the government’s efforts, a portion of the populace opposed the additional two years on basic education with reasons such as poverty, inadequacy of classroom facilities and teaching forces and a few lamented on the unpreparedness on the side of the government. These arguments and sentiments impede the smooth implementation of the new educational curriculum in our country but as educators, we should be great catalysts for change. Our minds should be open for these changes that will be of greater help in developing a brighter future of our country.
If we will review the educational system in the world, our country is one of the three countries which have a ten-year basic education program. This curriculum left us with deficiency in educational units in comparison with those who graduated in other foreign countries, thus, making us unattractive and unproductive in the global market. So, because of this harsh reality, our government intervenes to resolve the existing problem in the basic education system of our country.
It will be hard on the part of the parents, students, educators, government officials and other stake holders in the community to easily accept a new educational system but we need to remember that we are still in the parturition process and we need to endure the labor pains in order to deliver a quality education to every learners from different walks of life.
The K-12 Basic Education Curriculum ensures that every Filipino student will be equipped with knowledge and skills that will be his armor in battling the odds in his daily existence and in competing for the glory in the world market. So, through this educational system every student will have an opportunity to work here and abroad or to establish his own business, thus, lessening the unemployment rate and poverty in our country.
In the end of the day despite those hindrances and hardships in achieving a quality education, as educators, we need to inculcate to our students’ minds what Nelson Mandela had once said,” Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world.”
By: Mariane Faith C. Reyes | T-III | Mariveles National High School – Cabcaben ANNEX 2, Batangas II
