IMPROVING EMPLOYABILITY OF GRADS

ELEINE A. YABUT

The country's officials believe that integrating foreign language studies, other than English, into the K to 12 Basic Education program will improve the employability of K to 12 graduates.

This, as the House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to do such.

The chamber adopted House Resolution 1502, which calls for foreign language learning within the basic education curriculum.

Authors of the measure said foreign language skills shall reinforce the competitive advantage of Filipino students in the global labor markets of the 21st century.

There is a need to create a strong demand for workers with foreign language skills as the world has become a global village with integrated multilingual labor markets.

They noted that global corporations based in the United States, China and Japan prefer hiring staff who can speak a second foreign language besides English.

Filipino graduates equipped with foreign language skills shall reinforce the labor export strategy that has made the Philippines the world's fourth largest recipient of foreign exchange remittances from overseas workers, next only to India, Mexico, and China, officials said.

The proposal would be in line with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte's goal to make the basic education curriculum produce more competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens of the country.

During her Basic Education Report (BER) 2024 on Jan. 25, the Education Chief said DepEd is now preparing for the nationwide phased implementation of the MATATAG K-10 Curriculum, the rollout of the National Math Program and the National Science and Technology Program, and the institutionalization of their comprehensive Peace Education Program which are the results of thorough review and utilization of the results of both national and international assessments.

MATATAG stands for MAke the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; TAke steps to accelerate delivery of basic education facilities and services; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and Give support to teachers to teach better.

-oOoThe author is Teacher I at Bebe Anac Elementary School