BASIC EDUCATION TO SUSTAIN COMPETITIVENESS

The shift from a 10to 13-year basic education period for students is an ambitious effort to provide every student with the learning to compete at home and abroad. Prior to this, the Philippines was one of only three countries (Angola and Djibouti were the other two) still following the 10-year education system; it was also the only one in Asia. Filipinos realized that if a 13-year educational system was the recognized standard for students and professionals globally, then the country had to make the changes needed to ensure neither its citizens nor the nation gets left behind.

TIMELINE 1901

A centralized public school system is created. Some 600 American teachers called Thomasites are sent to address shortage of teachers.

1902

Provincial governmentsupported high school system, special educational institutions, school of arts and trades, an agricultural school, and commerce and marine institutes are established by the Philippine Commission.

1925

The first formal assessment of the educational status in the Philippines is conducted. The Board of Educational Survey appoints the Educational Survey Commission to visit different schools and observe its different activities around the country.

1940

National Council of Education head Rafael Palma issues a decree shortening the elementary level from seven years to six and raises the minimum age for Grade 1 to 7 years old.

1943

Under the Japanese, Tagalog, Philippine history and character education is taught to Filipinos.

1943

The Department of Instruction is changed to the Department of Education. During this period, the regulation and supervision of public and private schools belongs to the Bureau of Public and Private Schools.

1963 2018

The first batch of Grade 6 and Grade 12 under the K-12 program graduates.

2016

Senior high school is introduced in public and private schools nationwide. Some private schools, with the Department of Education’s approval, have already offered Grade 11 as early as 2015.

2013

The Enhance Basic Education Act, or the K-12 program, is signed into law.

2012

Enhanced curriculum for Grades 1 to 7 is implemented.

2010

President Aquino, in his first State of the Nation Address, expresses his plans to expand basic education cycle from 10 years to the global standard of 12 years, or the shift to the K-12 program. + Proponents and supporters of the reform say students will be given more time to study a curriculum and master skills crammed in 10 years, resulting in employable high school graduates. - Critics say the reform will only work if perennial problems on the ground are prioritized, such as lack of classrooms, low-quality textbooks, poor teaching methods and high dropout rates.

2002

Education Secretary Raul Roco implements the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) or “Makabayan” curriculum after a 16-year study. It reduces subjects taught in public schools from 10 to five: English, science, mathematics, Filipino and social studies. Art, music, history, physical education and culture fall under social studies.

1995

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is established for vocational courses, completing the trifocal educational system.

1994

The Commission on Higher Education is formed to supervise public and private college institutions. Congress later legislated that school opening be limited to between June 1 and July 31. From June, the school calendar is moved to start in September under Education Secretary Alejandro R. Roces. Shift is done over a three-year period, moving the opening date by one month each year.