K to 12: The Road to Quality Education

Many things have been said and done about the latest curriculum, the K to 12. As stipulated in
the Department Order No. 13s 2012, otherwise known as Policy Guidelines On the Implement of
Grades 1 to 12 of the K to Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) Effective School Year 2012-2013, the
K to 12 basic Education Curriculum (BEC) shall be implemented starting with the roll out of grades 1
and 7 in all public elementary and secondary schools in the school year 2012-2013. Private sectors are
enjoined to do the same. They may further enchance the curriculum to suit the school’s vision and
mission. Now the K to 12 is on its third year of roll out or the garde 9. Many observers, educators and
other concerned citizens cited common reasons why K to 12 should be pursued. The following are
some of the reasons they cited:

 Global Competitiveness. The global standard for basic education cycle at present is 12 years acording
to the UNESCO. IN a 12 years basic education cycle planning elementary and secondary school,
excluding pre-elementary school ,a child is presumed to have developed sufficient higher order
thingking skillls ,analytic tools ,and knowledge or enter either college or the world of work.
 College Preparatory. High school graduates fairing poorly on college entrance test are reflections of
low levels of achievement and inadequate preparation for college/university wor, so educators must
look into the preparedness of student.
 Preparation for the world of work. Nationwide data reveals 70%of puplic high school gradduates do
not go on to university or technical school. This is so different from the situation in developed countries
where university perticipation rets range from 15-40% of high schools graduates. Therefore, if they
finished grade 12, either they will join the world of work op pursue college education.
 Additional Junior High School and Senior High School. Experts in education notice that many of
thosewho graduated from the elementary schools are not really prepared for high school and those who
are graduating from high school are not really prepared for college/university.
The objective of the additional 2 years in the secondary school is to add content needed

to develop competence necessary for college or for the world of work.

We need to make the investment where we need it most. An additional two years of high school would
be an ideal thing to start…

Reference :
Dep Ed Order No. 31 s 2012
PASSA Journal May, 2005 p.35-37

WHY K-12 ?WHAT IS K-12

PROGRAM?
WHAT IS K-12 PROGRAM?
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 [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop
lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills
development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

WHY K-12 ?
Enhancing the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and critical.
Why?
Poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores of Filipino
students in the National Achievement Test and international tests like TIMSS (Trends
In Math and Science Subject); partly due to the congested curriculum; The current 10-
year basic education curriculum is designed to be taught in 12 years.

 Our high school graduates are: > not adequately prepared for the world of work
(most of the basic education graduates are too young to legally enter the labor
force (legal age would be 18)
 not adequately prepared to pursue higher education; or if prepared; end up shifting
courses
The 10-year basic education cycle hinders the recognition of Filipino professionals
abroad.

 The Washington Accord prescribes 12-years of basic education as an entry to

recognition of engineering professionals.
 The Bologna Process also requires 12 years of education for university admission
and practice of profession in European countries.
The Philippines is the only country in Asia and among the three remaining countries
in the world that has a10-year basic education cycle.

ASEAN Integration 2015 (Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,

Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)

 wider door for job markets HOWEVER competition will be tougher

 schools and universities have to compete with the world as “global athletes” not
just “barangay warriors”
 DepED, CHED, TESDA and DOLE should see to it that the academic curriculum
and technical skills would fit competition in the world market
The K to12 is Already a Law. REPUBLIC ACT 10533 “Enhanced Basic Education
Act of 2013”