Naninindigan pa rin po tayo sa ipinangako nating pagbabago sa edukasyon: ang gawin itong sentral na estratehiya sa pamumuhunan sa pinakamahalaga nating yaman: ang mamamayang Pilipino. Sa K to 12, tiwala tayong mabibigyang-lakas si Juan dela Cruz upang mapaunlad—hindi lamang ang kanyang sarili at pamilya—kundi maging ang buong bansa. – Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.

 

This is why the DepED through the present secretary, Arman Luistro launched this program which covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary, four years of Junior High School and two years of Senior High School for mastery of concepts skills, lifelong learners and prepare graduates for tertiary educations, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship.

Its first salient feature is to strengthen early childhood education so that every Filipino child has access to early childhood education through Universal Kindergarten at 5 since 0-6 years are the most critical period, since the brain grows to at least 60-70 percent according to K-12 Toolkit. In kinder, students learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors through games, songs and dances in Mother Tongue.

Aside from the Mother Tongue, English and Filipino are taught starting Grad 1 from grades 4 to 6, English and Filipino are used as language of instruction in Junior and Senior High School.

The most feature is that as early as elementary students, already gain knowledge in Biology, Geometry and Earth Science Chemistry and Algebra which currently in high school the said subject are just taught.

The last two years or in the senior high school students can choose among Academic, Technical Vocational-Livelihood and Sports and ArTs. They also undergo immersion, which may include earn-while-you-learn opportunities to provide them relevant exposure and actual experience is their chosen track.

 

Information, Media and Technology skills Learning and Innovation skills Effective Communication skills and Life and Career Skills.

 

The first batch to undergo the program are the Grade 1 entrants in SY: 2012-2013 and the current first year high school students or Grade 7.

To answer some frequently asked questions it is interesting to note that:

• Universal Kindergarten began in SY: 2011-2013
• The enhanced curriculum for Grade 1 & 7 was rolled out this SY:2012-2013
• Grade 11 will be introduced in SY: 2016-2017 and Grade 12 in SY: 2017-2018.
• Therefore, the first batch of high school students to go through K to 12 will graduate in March, 2018.
• A 12-year program is found to be adequate period for learning under basic education. It is indeed a standard for recognition of students/ and professionals abroad. (ie., the Bologna Process for the European Union and the Washington Accord for the United States.

 

There are things to consider in the implementation of this Program.

1. 1.The K-12 Basic Education Curriculum will be sufficient to prepare students for work.
2. 2.The curriculum will enable them to acquire Certificates of Competence (COCs)) and National Certifications (NCs) in accordance with TESDA training.
3. 3.There is a school-industry partnership for technical0vocational courses for them to gain work experience while studying and the opportunity to be absorbed by the companies.
4. 4.DepED is in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to provide more opportunities for working students to attend classes.
5. 5.Lastly, the DepED is working with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure that jobs will be available to K to 12 graduates and that consideration will be given to working students.

 

With regards to teachers competencies to go on with the program, teachers are given sufficient in-service training on content and radiology to implement this program.

To ensure the sustainability of the program. Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education is offered for free in public schools and that keeping students in school is a responsibility of the entire community and to be sure that student stay in school is a responsibility of the entire community and to be sure that students stay in school, programs like the 4 P’s- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be at hand.

If the DepED, DSWD and the Senate and Congress people will be monitoring, overseeing, and evaluating, I believe this program will turn out to be very positive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Lolita P. Manuntag | Teacher II | Morong National High School | Morong, Bataan