Full K-12 implementation

The K to 12 curriculum is in its full implementation for this school year, 2017-2018. Trainings for teachers handling Grade 6 and Grade 12 were done last April and May 2017 nationwide. But let us take a look at how it ran on the last years of its implementation, from kindergarten, grade 1 and 7, grade 2 and 8, grade 3 and 9, grade 4 and 10 and grade 5 and 11.

Did it run smoothly without any problems encountered along the way? Did all the crucial needs like textbooks, classroom buildings, and equipment are addressed?

The curriculum was decongested to allow mastery of the skills and so teachers won’t be in a hurry to cover the teaching skills listed in the budget plan for a quarter.

Learners were not only trained to be academically challenged but their entrepreneurial skills were also tapped. Indeed, this curriculum opened many doors for our learners to progress in their phase and with their suited skills.

Teachers didn’t question the curriculum. Rather, the concern was on the availability of the materials and other crucial resources. Lack of these could somehow defeat the purpose of the implementation.

How can a teacher allow pupils to use workbooks or learner’s materials if the 1:1 pupil textbook ratio is not followed? These are very much needed to assess student’s learning.

On the other hand, teachers need intensive trainings from DepEd, a refresher course especially on the different areas of specialization. These are the gaps that must be addressed but for sure DepEd can respond to this.

So let us be the catalyst and forerunners of this long dreamed-of endeavor for the full implementation of the K to 12 curriculum.

--Wilfredo Pedroza Jr., Libertad National High School, Bogo City, Cebu