“K-12 PROGRAM: A SENSE OF HOPE OR FAR-FETCHED VISION”

CARLA FAYE G. CAUGUIRAN,MAED

“Winter is coming!” ... This line has been a favorite from the Game of Thrones … by George R.R. Martin. It signifies that challenges and struggle is upon us. Like our educational system in our country, facing with numerous issues on how we can cross the bridge over troubled water.

For how many decades now, Filipino students are educated and trained with the hope that we are capable of being globally competitive and skillful. Apparently, a significant factor that supports of the importance directed towards education is the large percentage of the national government budget going to this department. The Department of Education (DepEd), is allocated with one of the highest proportions of the national budget. Clearly this set up the mind that we, Filipinos value education and how it will affect the minds and the future of our children.

The 1987 Constitution assures the public of the right to education of every Filipino. The constitution states that, “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all.” (Article XIV, Sec. 5, paragraph 5 of the Philippine Constitution)

According to the Philippines Education for All (EFA), and I quote: "The curriculum is the heart of the educational system. In 1999, the policy direction was for decongesting the curriculum. That led to the formulation of the Basic Education Curriculum for the elementary level and the Restructured Basic Education Curriculum for the secondary level. The number of learning areas in both levels was reduced to five, focusing on those that facilitate lifelong learning skills. The implementation of the curriculum 11 included training of teachers and administrators, development of modules and training materials, and close monitoring and assessment of program implementation." (Phils. EFA-MDA 2015) currently, the curriculum was reformed to the K12 program.

With the implementation of K12 program on the roll, what mainly questions the program is not the policy but the key to the success of the project which is curriculum and the teachers. Changing the direction of the game for the Filipinos to be more globally competitive is still vague to describe for the future at this point in time. However, since the process is at the midst of trial and error, everything is evaluated and studied to its full potential.

By extending the length of year of the secondary level, the curriculum is basically helping the students to be able to learn the discipline better by decongesting the content. The competencies that needed to be taught for 4 continued years are now learned within 6 years. Furthermore, the content is organized in a spiral progression so that in every grade level, the students are learning in a higher order of level. The transition is definitely difficult and exhausting not only for students but for the teachers and parents as well.

One of the things that needed to be considered with this huge transition is the high quality of teachers, the most important factor of the child's education are their teachers because the play a very big role, not only as a role model but as very influential personality in the classroom. This is why teaching in the 21st century should always be upgraded continuously and consistently. Professional developments should always be provided to teachers to always support individual needs and best practices as well as new innovations student-centered education. (Teaching in the 21st Century, Blackboard, 2008 p. 6)

In every implementation of a curriculum design, challenges are expected to occur and are evident not only at the beginning of the process but can also happen during the course. Even with the best contingency plans in place and executed on time to resolve any growing issue and concerns, still solutions may not always be enough. It is always a learning process to all the stakeholders. It is only acceptable that every aspect of the K12 program should always be evaluated and assess carefully and thoroughly.

Lastly, taking a risk is part of looking a new frontier of a new age. We are to be ready if we want to be globally competitive. We need to show the world that we Filipinos can go above and beyond, should we enter the international arena, and this K12 program is only the first step of the journey.

As we contemplate on this topic, let me give you this verse by Elbert Hubbard “The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.”

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Tinajero National High School -Annex