K-12 after six years: Was there a difference?

Iron G. Gantan

As part of the only three countries left for having 10-year basic education, the Philippines has embraced the K-12 program which was mandated and eventually became a law in 2012 as the Republic Act 10533. The K to 12 Program envelopes 13 years of basic education from 1 year in Kindergarten, 6 years in Elementary education, 4 years in Junior High School and an additional two years for Senior High School.

Essentially, the government believes that this program is beneficial for some valid reasons. According to the Senate Economic Planning Office (2011) the program will help decongest the curriculum. Students will not get exhausted with the curriculum that is actually designed for a 12-year education program in other countries. In addition, the program will prepare the students for higher education which led to the buildings of academic tracks. With K to 12, students will have the chance to take preparatory courses in the high school curriculum that are currently taught at the tertiary level. Another reason is that students will be equipped for the labor market. Since students will graduate in high school at the age of 18, they become legally capable of applying for jobs. Lastly, students can comply with the global standards. The years of education with the K to 12 program is perfectly suited with that of the other countries across the globe. Filipino graduates can work abroad without thinking of re-enrolling or catching up with the “lacking years”.

After six years of having the curriculum working on in the educational system, was there a significant difference at all? Amidst those years, a lot of struggles have emerged. The schools, particularly the public schools, nationwide have experienced several issues and problems. The lack of learning materials has become a burden not only to students but teachers. Teachers were doing their part to search for the lessons through any way like surfing the internet. In addition, shortages in classrooms and seats were still observed. Problems with teachers also escalated. With the high demands of teachers in the senior high school, the government has made a “mass hiring” to compensate with the high volume of students. Teachers who are not competent enough to teach such subject were given loads, even non-board passers were hired.

According Rep. Antonio Tinio of ACT, there is a wide gap between the enrolments in elementary and high school, 91 percent and 68 percent respectively. The gaps showed that fewer students were able to enroll in high school. “This means that while nine out of 10 elementary school-age children are enrolled in elementary, enrollment in high school dropped to only around 7 out of 10,” He further stressed that the government should build more high schools as there are only 7,000 high schools that offer junior high school in the country. Most high schools are located in the urbanized areas, inaccessible to students from far-flung areas.

For one, senior high school students are meant for training, hands-on courses, and work immersion programs. However, these potential high school graduates are not all competent because of the insufficient 80-hour actual training. Further, schools were having hard time looking for available industry partners to accommodate their students.

As it just started building the foundation, there are still numerous issues going on about the new curriculum. Hopefully, these issues will be lessened in the coming years to finally achieve the quality education the government wants its people to achieve.

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The author is Teacher I at Mauaque High School (Resettlement School)

,Mabalacat City Pampanga