TOPIC: Continuation of the K-12 Program

STAND:

The K to 12 Program covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six

years of Primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of
senior high school) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills,
develop life-long learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-
level skills development, employment and entrepreneurship. Although K-12 is very
costly for parents’ part and students will have additional 2 years in high school,
K-12 program should be continued because it aims to enhance learners’ basic skills,
produce more competent citizens, and prepare graduates for life-long learning and
employment.(www.officialgazette.gov.ph, n.d.)

With K-12 Education system, the students will be able to get sufficient
instructional time to to do subject-related tasks, which makes them more prepared
and well-trained on that subject area. (Abueva, 2015) In the old system, Filipino
students have been getting low achievement scores and international tests results,
revealed that we often come at the tail end in the exams as compared to other
countries. An enhanced curriculum will decongest academic workload, giving students
more time to master competencies and time for extra-curricular activities, thus
allowing for their more holistic development. (Navarro, 2015)

Filipino graduates will be automatically recognized as professionals abroad

because we are following the international education standard as practiced by all
nations. (Abueva, 2015) The Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of the
only countries (Djibouti and Angola in Africa are the other two countries) with a
ten (10) year pre-university program. With the curriculum, there will be no need to
study again and spend more money in order to qualify for their standards. Graduates
of the K-12 program will be perceived w/ increased competency and have better
global opportunities. (Navarro, 2015)

Another reason to support K-12 education is because graduates of this program

will be more prepared to enter the labor force. (Abueva, 2015) As a result, they
will be equipped with the skills needed for a specific job even without a college
degree. (ourhappyschool.com, n.d.) With the increased competence and workmanship
due to TESDA-like training and college-like education included in the new
curriculum, the graduates will become highly employable, reducing the rate of
unemployment in the Philippines. Those who are passionate about starting businesses
will be enabled to open more job opportunities.

Students of the new system will graduate at the age of 18 and will be ready
for employment, entrepreneurship, middle-level skills development, and higher
education upon graduation. With adaptation of K-12 scheme, students are expected to
graduate at age a bit older than past graduates’. This is an advantage, according
to DepEd, as graduates will be considered young adults. Hence, they will be more
equipped to deal with much higher of learning as they enter college of education.

Parents have to shell out more money not just in tuition but also in
transportation, school projects and food for their children.(Cruz, 2010) K-12 will
only make parents bear the brunt of the high costs of education and annual
increases in tuition and other school fees. K-12 will furthermore privatize and
commercialize education.Yes, of course parents will spend an amount of money but in
effect, the number of year the college courses will decrease because of
redundancies. Grade 11 and 12 takes the form of a two-year college education. In a
public school, this is tuition free. Those who will pursue college will have fewer
years to pay for. Graduates will also receiving training certifications which
reduces the need to study a vocational course.
 The K-12 program is still beneficial as it gives a better quality of
education. In contrast with the old curriculum, the K-12 program offers a more
focused and improved educational system in the country. With the compulsory and
mandatory kindergarten education, children at the age of 5 will have time to slowly
adjust to their formal education. Moreover, according to the Department of
Education (2012), a better understanding of the basic concepts taught will be
ensured through the use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction. In addition,
with the additional 2 years in high school, students will be given more time to
master competencies and skills through the specialized upper secondary education.

However, in ensuring that learners will receive a better quality of

education, an improved school facilities and materials will be needed. Some believe
that the K-12 implementers did not take into consideration the issue on the
inadequacy of facilities and other materials. Schools are also not yet ready to
accommodate more students in the very limited facilities due to the additional 2
years in high school. In addition, as Isagani Cruz (2010) wrote in his article,
“Currents subjects should be fixed first instead of adding new ones. The problem is
the content, not the length, of basic education.”
Furthermore, the K-12 program is beneficial as it provides job opportunities
for high school graduates. During their senior high school, students will be able
to acquire skills that enable and prepare them for work after graduation. As a
result to this, students may opt not to continue college and may already be
eligible for work without earning a college diploma. Parents, who cannot afford
college education for their children, are freed from the burden of spending for
college just to make their children employable (Forbes, 2012).

Reforms in the educational system are very much needed in the country.
Although difficulties and inadequacies may arise, its benefits, in the long run,
are more significant for the country as a whole. K-12 is the key to the country’s
national development. In achieving its success, cooperation and support of all
involved are important. The K-12 will not only improve the quality of education but
also the lives of Filipinos. With the job opportunities offered for K-12 graduates,
better quality of education for students and Philippines being at par with other
countries, this program is truly beneficial for everyone.