DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE
ABOLISHING K-12 CURRICULUM IN THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
Written by:
Roselyn F. Muyco
Student, Davao Del
Norte State
College
K-to 12 (also K-12) is a
Department of
Education system that
strives to improve
learners' fundamental
abilities, generate more
competent citizens, and prepare
graduates for lifelong study and
employment. The letter "K" stands for
kindergarten, while the number "12"
alludes to the 12 years of basic
education that follow (6 years of
elementary school, 4 years of junior
high school, and 2 years of senior high
school).
Why Push for K-12 Basic Education
Program?
According to K12 Philippines, the K-12
curriculum provides a decongested 12-
year program that allows pupils
enough time to master skills and
acquire fundamental competences.
Students in the new system will
graduate at the age of 18 and be
prepared for work, entrepreneurship,
intermediate level skill development,
and further education.
This program helps Filipino graduates
and professionals get mutual
recognition in other nations.
Kindergarten is required for all five-
year-olds and is required for
admittance to Grade 1.
The new curriculum allows students to
pick from three tracks (Academic,
Institute of Teacher Education
Technical-Vocational-Livelihood, and
Sports and Arts) and immerse
themselves in their chosen track,
providing meaningful exposure and
genuine experience.
There is a rumor circulating that
government will abolish K-12, but,
according to Rappler, “No law passed
abolishing K-12 program”.
Despite what the video claims, the
Senate has not enacted any legislation
to repeal the K-12 program. Even if the
Senate passes such a measure, it
would not automatically become law.
Bicameral approval and the signature
of the President are required.
Based to the video, Senator Raffy
Tulfo favors the cancellation of the K-
12 program, which was established by
a law approved under the
administration of former President
Benigno Aquino III; but, as of this
writing, Tulfo has not submitted any
legislation to do so.
When I first heard about K-12 and
knew that it would add 2 years to our
studies in high school, I admit that I got
mad due to the fact that we would be
delayed in finishing our studies, plus it
would cost more money. I always ask
myself, "Nganong mag implement
paman og K-12 nga daghan man gani
ang naka graduate og nahimong
professionals bisan wala na? Dungag-
 DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE Institute of Teacher Education
dungag ra sa gasto." Since I already
experienced being a student under K-
12 program and now that I'm in
College I realized that the 2 years in
senior high is useless because what is
taught in senior high, we can also
learn those in college.
Moreover, when I heard the rumor that
the government will abolish the K-12, I
felt disappointed because it is so unfair
to us students who have been part of
that program. Actually, I can say that
they were so stupid for implementing
that program, and now they will
remove it just like that. The
government doesn't even think about
those students who spent another two
years in high school. It's so hard for
me to accept that, maybe if there's no
K-12 program, I am done studying and
I have my own job now.
I am aware that the government just
wanted the education here in the
Philippines to be upgraded since the
Philippines is the last country in Asia
and one of only countries in the world
with a 10-years pre-university
program. But let’s be honest, making a
new move in education can change a
lot of things. Still, we Filipinos have
this line, “Padayon lang”, even though
many challenges come to us we never
stop because we know there is a
better world waiting for us.
In conclusion, let’s don’t trust rumors
because sometimes rumors are the
truth or lies. Let’s seek legit sources so
that we will not lead into wrong
information. It is also not wrong to
express our thoughts because we
have different perspectives in life.