K-12

Before the K-12 system was signed

into law with the passage of the
ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION ACT
OF 2013 (RA 10533)

There were many discussions and

debates that took place regarding
this issue.
The proponents of the k-12
program and their followers
stand for the positive side
(PROS)

while those against this

education program stand on the
negative side (ANTIs)
In order for us to have a
clearer understanding on the
matter, I have here a
presentation of the SALIENT
POINTS OF THE K-12
PROGRAM
But before we go to the salient points–
here is a trivia:

The Philippines was the last country in

Asia and one of the 3 countries
worldwide with the 10 year pre-
university cycle. The other 2 countries
are Angola (South Africa) and Djibouti
(North Africa).
The first question is—
Q: Why have we adopted the K-12
curriculum?
A: REMEMBER OUR MNEMONIC– SCIRD
- in the mnemonic SCIRD we have
the first letter S which stands for
SPECIFIC OR SPECIALIZED TRACKS

- if we say TRACKS, this includes

ACADEMICS, SPORTS, AND ARTS
AND DESIGN.
now we have the second letter C, which
stands for COMPULSORY KINDER this
means that CHILDREN MUST ENTER IN
KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM at the AGE 5
The third letter is “I”
Q: What does the letter “I” stands
for?
A: “I” stands for INTERNATIONAL
RECOGNITION.
- take note that if you a product of BASIC
EDUCATION CURRICULUM (BEC)– THE 10
YR. PROGRAM, YOU LACK 2 YEARS OF
EDUCATION according to the current
global standard

- like a mountain climber who have an

incomplete map and hardly or may even
never reach the pinnacle of the mountain
which has the best view
- thus, some of our domestic
professionals NEEDS TO HAVE 2 YEARS
OF EXPERIENCE BEFORE THEY CAN BE
EMPLOYED OR CONSIDERED TO BE A
PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONALLY.

- this, BEING UNABLE TO BE GLOBALLY

COMPETETIVE, shows the
DISADVANTAGE OF THE 10 YEAR
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
The next letter we have is the letter R
Q: What does the R in SCIRD stands for?
A: letter R stands for READINESS FOR CEB
(college, employment, and business)

C- college
E- employment
B- business
the graduates of the k-12 program will
be 18 YEARS OLD therefore, they are in
LEGAL AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT,
and are with the SPECIALIZED TRACKS
ensuring that they are KNOWLEDGEABLE
AND WELL EQUIPED IN TERMS OF SKILLS
BEFORE ENTERING A WORKFORCE.
And lastly, the letter D which ends our
mnemonic SCRID
Q: What does the letter D stands for?

A: LETTER D STANDS FOR DECONGESTION

Q: Why do we need to DECONGEST?
A: because the curriculum WAS HEAVILY
CONGESTED, making it HARD FOR THE
STUDENTS TO COPE UP with regards to their
understanding. thus PROFESSIONALS AND
EXPERTS advised to PROLONG OUR
EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM.
Now, we’ll go to the
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE K-12
CURRICULUM. For this, remember
the letters BRSS.
The first letter of the CHARACTERISTICS OF K-12
mnemonic is B
Q: What does letter B stands for?
A: B Stands for BUILDS

Q: What are we building?

A: The BASIC SKILL

Q: What is the BASIC SKILL?

A: It is the COMMUNICATION SKILL
COMMUNICATION SKILLS are one of the
FUNDAMENTAL LIFE SKILLS Which are
required for greater understanding of
information. It can be done vocally,
visually, non-verbally and through
written media. All these are means of
communication which are essential soft
skills which are REQUIRED FOR A
SUCCESSFUL CAREER.
The next letter is R
Q: What does letter R stands for?
A: R stands for RELEVANT CURRICULUM

- When we say RELEVANT

CURRICULUM, the examples in the
curriculum SHOULD BE RELEVANT TO
CHILD’S COMMUNITY.
- For instance, in the BICOL REGION
the example should be related to
IBANON
- If the child is from IFUGAO and is
studying in ifugao the example
should be HUDHUD and the ALIM
- And if one is from PANAOG in
VISAYAS the example should be
HINILAWOD.
 The next letter after R from our mnemonic is
“S”
Q: What does the letter S stands for?
A: “S” is for STRONGER EARLY CHILDHOOD
DEVELOPMENT.

- If you noticed we have KINDER, GRADES 1, 2,

AND 3 and in these grade levels, THE CHILD’S
DOMINANT LANGUAGE is used as the
LANGUAGE OF LEARNING wherein filipino and
english language proficiency is being developed
GRADUALLY.
 And lastly the next letter is another S
Q: WHAT DOES THE LAST LETTER S stands for?
A: The last “S” stands for SPIRAL
PROGRESSION
- This means that subjects are taught from
SIMPLEST CONCEPTS TO MORE
COMPLICATED CONCEPTS.
- This allows the learners to learn topics
and skills APPROPRIATE TO THEIR
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COGNITIVE STAGES.
So now that you have learned WHY K-12
and what are THE CHARACTERISTICS OF K-
12, next I'll discuss WHAT ARE THE AIMS
OF K-12?
A: For this, we have the mnemonic PEP

- In which P stands for PRODUCE. which

means PRODUCE GLOBALLY COMPETENT
CITIZENS meaning citizens that are able to
COMPETE (MAKIPAGSABAYAN) GLOBALLY
- and “E” stands for ENHANCE. this
means to ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES
AND STRENGTHS OF THE GRADUATES
for smoother integration in the
workforce
- lastly, we have another “P” which
stands for PREPAREDNESS.
Q: PREPAREDNESS for what?
- PREPAREDNESS for COLLEGE or JOB
- students in k-12 will undergo IMMERSION
which may include EARN-WHILE-YOU-LEARN
OPPORTUNITIES to provide them relevant
EXPOSURE AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCE in their
chosen track.

- in which they can earn TESDA’S CERTIFICATE

OF COMPETENCY (COC), NATIONAL
CERTIFICATES 1 OR 2, these certificates
IMPROVES THE EMPLOYABILITY OF
GRADUATES in fields like agriculture,
electronics, and trade.