Since the K to 12 program has been implemented in the Philippine educational system, many uninformed individuals still have some concerns and queries about this program. It seems they are not yet well-equipped on how this program will go about in educating students. Particularly, while we understand that after the Grade 12, a student can either proceed to finding job or pursue a degree in college. Now, this is the next question lies. Are our college professors as informed and concerned with how these K to 12 program graduates will then be guided in the tertiary level?

It should be understood that every school or every sector in education is connected to the others. It should be that influences will flow between them. It is but expected and sensible to think a nation’s educational institutions will rise and fall together.

So, when it comes to the K to 12 Program, college professors may hope they can expect to receive well-prepared students already and that they will be untouched by the mediocrity in the K to 12 schools, specifically the public schools. It could also be that some of these professors may believe they are intellectual nobility and cannot be contaminated by the rabble below. 

Of course, this should not be the case.

It is vital to understand that K-12 education challenges higher education in two significant ways. First, there are high school graduates who can be poorly prepared for college. To contain these marginal students, colleges must spend more resources on remedial education or even find appropriate ways to lower their own standards as long as they do not let the profession suffer on its own.

Second, the K-12 education may also undercut higher education in a more restrained way. This may be due that some public schools are overrun by uncertain educational theories and methods. College professors should then be worried that these empty fads might penetrate and damage colleges. This should then be addressed properly by encouraging these college professors to be more involved in learning and understanding the K-12 program. Finally,  improving the K-12 program can result to better college education and a better country as a whole.

By: Charito R. Balagasay | Teacher III | Pilar Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan