DepEd can resolve K to 12 issues raised before SC
Education Secretary Armin Luistro maintained that the issues raised by various groups before the Supreme Court (SC) with regard to the implementation of the K to 12 program can be resolved by the executive department.
“The issues raised to the SC can be addressed and resolved, if we haven’t done so yet, by DepEd (Department of Education) in close coordination with CHED (Commission on Higher Education), TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment),” Luistro said in a text message yesterday.
The secretary was reacting to the recent statement of a parents’ group that it would file another petition before the high court to stop the implementation of the government’s flagship education reform program.
“I have always reminded our critics that when DepEd announced the K to 12 reform publicly on Oct. 5, 2010, we have been very transparent and open to all suggestions and recommendations, including criticisms,” he added.
Last week, Rey Vargas of the Parents for Children’s Education told
GMA News that it would question the legality of the K to 12 program before the SC as it allegedly did not go through the correct process of consultation.
As well, the Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns questioned the implementation of the program.
“It’s not surprising that many poor children could not finish school. The most common reason is their inability to pay for school expenses. The additional two years under the K to 12 program carries additional cost to parents,” Salinlahi secretary-general Kharlo Manano said in a statement.
“If the government is serious in its efforts to improve the quality of education, it should immediately address the shortage in facilities in public schools, teachers as well as the availability of decent jobs for Filipinos,” Manano added.
A coalition of teachers, nonteaching staff, parents and labor groups earlier filed a petition for injunction asking the SC to stop the implementation of the program.