STATUS OF K TO 12 IN EDUCATION SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES

ANABEL D. INTAL

Changes in our educational system took over in order to equip students for further study and employment. This happened when the Philippines implemented the k to 12 program. It covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education, which include 6years of primary education, 4 years of junior high school and two years of senior high school to prepare sufficient time for the development of skills and knowledge of the learners. Before the implementation of the K to 12 program, the Philippines is the only country in Asia and among the three remaining countries worldwide that has 10 years of basic education, that is why our country needs to enhance our basic education system. Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. However, our education system hinders us from becoming even more competitive. The implementation of K to 12 program in our country is the key to our nation’s development and improvement. On the other hand, implementing K to 12 program brought some problems to some. Some Junior high schools do not offer a course preferred by students. Thus making the latter to move into another school to take for the course they want to choose. Furthermore, buildings, facilities and supplies are also lacking. In addition to that, parents have to spend two extra years for school, and if their children decide to pursue college, there is an additional two years of education. However, this program would be beneficial to the young Filipinos in the near future in our country.

Upon the implementation of the K to 12 program, the rate or number of enrollees in year 2016 exceeded despite the additional two years. In the school year 2017-2018, which is the second year of the implementation of the program the first batch of senior high school students graduated. This batch has the choice if they want to continue or pursue their college or they already want to look for a job and use their learnings. There are also challenges faced by our government, according to DepEd Secretary Briones, this year the Deped created huge number of teacher items for the program, but still it is lack of teachers and also classrooms to fill in its demands. On the other hand, as far as ebeis is concerned, the government is finding its way to provide our needed teaching guides, curriculum guides, additional teachers, classrooms and buildings needed for the successful implementation of K-12 program.

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The author is Head Teacher III at Sulipan Elementary School, Apalit, Pampanga