Filipinos have different sentiments when it comes to K to 12 program.

From the 10-year pre-

university cycle, the new curriculum added 2 more years in the secondary education which they call as
“Senior High School” or SHS.

Indeed, there are advantages and disadvantages on the program. But I believe that the gains still
outweigh the drawbacks.

Firstly, some parents perceive that SHS means “additional” years of their children in school which
also means “additional” expenses.

However, what many people fail to see is that the implementation of the K to 12 program and the
addition of this specialized upper secondary education has been a major step up from the government
and the Department of Education(DepEd) in uplifting the quality of education in the Philippines. As stated
in the Official Gazette of the Philippines, before this transition, we are the last country in Asia and one of
only three countries in the world with a 10-year basic education curriculum. Surely, with the K to 12
adaption, the government recognized the possibility of excellent and first-rate quality education which
will be the key for us to be globally competitive and be at par with other countries.

Another benefit of the SHS is the specialization-based career tracks, that is, (1) Academic, (2)
Technical-Vocational-Livelihood, and (3) Sports and Arts. After finishing a SHS, K to 12 graduates may
obtain certificates which will increase their employability. These are helpful to families who are incapable
of sending their kids to college.