That is important to know. But, knowing if one is ready for such change is far more important. A caterpillar should spent number of days in the cocoon before it turns to be a butterfly. More likely, a chick should spend 21 days in a shell. If force to hatch, it may kill the expected outcome in the process.
Preparation then equates to planning, which is the formulation of a definite course of action. It had been one of the key features in achieving objectives that will eventually lead to success.
Needless to say then that investment is significant; invest to the future nation-builders, that is, the youth is essential.
Philippines is the last country in Asia, and one of only three (3) countries worldwide with a 10-year pre-university cycle (that includes Angola and Djibouti). In this light, by the virtue of Basic Education Act of 2013, a 12-year program was introduced to the country help the students remain competitive in the ever-innovative global market. The program covers 13 years basic education (kinder garden, elementary [grade 1-6], junior high school [grade 7-10], and senior high school [11-12]. Most graduates of today, high schools students in particular, are too young to enter the labor force. Contrariwise, k-to-12 program comforts the students to be automatically recognized as professionals abroad by following the internally-set standards.
The 12-year program was both spearheaded and sponsored by the Department of Education (DepEd). To ensure that the plan on the investment to the human capital is properly backed up, facilities and facilitators are well-prepared and provided; DepEd has built 66,813 classrooms from 2010 to 2013. There are 33,608 classrooms completed and undergoing construction in 2014. DepEd is planning to establish 5,899 Senior High Schools nationwide. As of April 30, 2015, DepEd has issued provisional permits to 1,866 private schools set to offer Senior High School in 2016. From 2010-2014, DepEd has filled 128,105 new teacher items. DepEd is targeting two kinds of teachers: 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 for 2016 alone. As for the Learning Materials, such are being produced for elementary to junior high while textbooks for Senior High School (which has specialized subjects) are being bid out. The k-to-12 curriculum is both standards- and competence-based. It is inclusive and built around the needs of the learners and the community. The curriculum is done and is available on the DepEd website. It is the first time in history that the entire curriculum is digitized and made accessible to the public. [1]
More importantly, k-to-12 program is anchored with the introduction of problem-posing approach in teaching; it casts away the traditional banking approach. The main differences between the two are that in the banking approach, learners consider that it is the job of the teachers to inform them. In effect, they felt little responsible for self-direction—and the choices for them either to pass or fail—or do good or bad works. To come to the point, students judge their achievement through comparison. The reason why it is called the banking approach is because the resource persons (they are expected to take all the control, they then become the sole leaders—the oppressors) only deposit knowledge to the learners (they are expected to be passive and unthinking, they then become mere followers—the oppressed). On the other hand, in the problem-posing approach the past records serve as the basis of the probability of the success. The successful learning then is a result of efforts and collaboration. Also, teachers made the students felt responsible for directing themselves—they then know when they understand things, and in case they do not, they resort to doing something about it.
As a result, it will yield better future for the next generation while crafting better learners—butterflies of today, with the aid of teacher-monitor.
Planning plays an essential part in a program or organization for it gives direction—focusing the efforts toward a particular end. Planning then lessens the possible wastage of all the available resources, either financial or human (though the two are inseparable).
Future is never completely predictable, changes are likely to occur. But, with planning, a program’s risk management plan was aided for it reduces the possible uncertainties, for planning is also a means of anticipation. Most importantly, planning launches standards for controlling—standards in work (output), time, and cost for a plan is a way of informing the people on how, when, and what exactly is expected to be done.
By: Marilou T. Gammad | T-1 | Luacan National High School
