K-12 Implementation in the Philippine Context

Article Critique: K-12 Implementation in the

Philippine Context
Bañas, Vincent Bryanne V.

English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Ms. Jan Marini De Guzman

September 6, 2019
K-12 Implementation in the Philippine Context

The implementation of the K-12 Curriculum in the Philippines is more

detrimental rather than beneficial to the students. There are many perceived benefits
of the K-12 Program, namely, higher quality education, workforce readiness,
preparation for higher education and holistic education. Most of the benefits that
were expected after the implementation were only minimal and detriments were
more prevalent. Failure to achieve the benefits were due to financial incapability,
job requirements, and many more other factors.

One of the goals of the K-12 implementation was that after the graduation of
Senior High School, students would be prepared for employment right away. One of
the reasons behind this is that students are expected to graduate at the age of 18.
Another reason is that there are certain elective subjects provided at Senior High
School that if acquired, you are given the option to not study College Education. The
government then encourages to view the K-12 Program as 2 years less of higher
education rather than the other way around.

In the Philippines, college graduates are preferred by most business firms. A

survey conducted by JobStreet showed results that only 24 percent of employers
using their website are looking for Senior High School Graduates. Then, 35 percent
of the employers are not willing to hire these graduates; 41 percent are still
undecided. Reasons behind this is that most of the business firms demand a sufficient
work experience and that there is a lack of positions for non-college graduates in
employment options. Considering these facts, the K-12 program is a
counterproductive system of education for most students without the capability to
continue their studies to the higher education.

Another perceived benefit of the K-12 Program is that the Senior High School
curriculum serves as a preparation for College Education; exposure of the students
to college subjects is evident in the K-12 Program. The Senior High School
K-12 Implementation in the Philippine Context

curriculum, in terms of HSAM, consists of three specialized strands namely,

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Humanities and
Social Sciences (HUMSS), and Accountancy and Business Management (ABM).
The provided Senior High School strands include specialized subjects that are
already related to their career path or chosen college course.

Some Filipino students do not have the financial capability to support

themselves in pursuing to graduate Senior High School. The additional two years of
education have an estimation of P20 000 to over P100 000 of tuition fees and other
expenses. Due to the fact that most students do not even have the luxury to graduate
Senior High School, they are not given the option to study College Education. This
then limits their job choices and it may be greatly detrimental to their lifestyle.

At the initial years of the implementation of the K-12 Program, there was a
lot of controversy in the beneficial aspects of it. The idea and intention of the K-12
Program is a great goal that any country should achieve. Although, in the context of
the Philippines, and in the state of the Philippines as of now, those goals are far
within our reach but I can see that we are slowly but surely adapting to our
environment. The implementation itself was a big step, the Filipino citizens must
only follow through, with the help of the government, so that these goals can be seen
in the horizon.
K-12 Implementation in the Philippine Context

Sources:

(n.d.). The K to 12 Basic Education Program: GOVPH. Retrieved from

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/k-
12/?fbclid=IwAR2hDQ81fNYqTZ4YIDe6jwSlnpRdVPsr_W2wmsoHVdx7KAId
U7QIpexZUq8

(n.d.). K-12 Basic Education Curriculum: K12 Philippines. Retrieved from

http://k12philippines.com/?fbclid=IwAR2vDBXdrjok3vB0aRJNDNdvYNVOCJ_P
G1K3lrdRF0UulvMB0DUvAeoaor4

Uyquiengco, M. (2014, June 23). Benepisyo Ng K-12 Curriculum Para Sa Pinoy

Students. Retrieved from https://ph.theasianparent.com/advantages-new-k-12-
curriculum?fbclid=IwAR1jfBI6zdBYFd0oDdPafNxYTKjll8dXLUxQiZ1WXYeVt
yNatWF4Rs4ZpDM

Mateo, J. (2018, April 22). Survey showing 24% of firms hiring K-12 grads
welcomed. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/23/1808498/survey-showing-24-
firms-hiring-k-12-grads-
welcomed?fbclid=IwAR14prAbw4AqOhVrRtkNotw0bDIGVR8B4F-
iE5AB6S9rbyq9yj9IYgT1i1I

Geronimo, J. Y. (2016, June 13). Senior high school: No youth left behind?
Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/136182-philippines-
education-senior-high-school-learners