When I was on my 5th grade, the 2002 Basic Curriculum Education undergone a major

transfiguration that affect the system of education in the Philippines. A new curriculum was
been introduced, and this is known as “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”. The revisions of
the education curriculum was been all over the news. Adding two more years in high school
was a big challenge in the implementation of the kto12 curriculum. Many of the Filipinos
particularly those who are in the poverty-stricken communities likely to disagree with the new
curriculum, to them adding two more years in high school is costly and it will elongate the years
of acquiring a diploma. However, in the beginning of year 2023, the Department of Education
was expected to release updates of the ongoing review of the Kinder to Grade 12 curriculum.
The Department of Education, the secretary VP, Inday Sarah Duterte presented the plans for
inclusive learning support for teachers, improving the curriculum. With this abrupt news, many
Filipinos are agitated with the country educational systems. The Filipinos citizens are deeply
concerned about the reformation of the Kto12 curriculum. Nevertheless, the Department of
Education and Commission on higher Education are working together to improve the quality of
education and provide learners that posse’s the 21st century skills necessary for a globally
competitive individuals.
Now to know more about the Kto12 program, let’s go deeper about the highlights and
opportunities of this curriculum. For almost a decade, the Kto12 curriculum was been
implemented and it altered the traditional education system of the country. The Kto12
curriculum education system of the country. Play a significant part in Philippines history of
education. The Republic Act 10533 or known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013” An
act that enhanced the Philippines Basic Education System by strengthening the curriculum and
increasing the number of years for basic education. One of the highlights of the Kto12
curriculum is the senior high school program, Expanding the years of study for college
preparation and offering career opportunities such as creative arts, technical and vocational,
sports and entrepreneurial employment, In addition the Kto12 curriculum will help learners to
have ample time to master study areas and focus on their interest. Another opportunities
brought by Kto12 curriculum is the Alternative learning System ALS giving opportunity to out of
school learners to acquire diploma. Moreover, the teacher Education and training was also an
advantage of Republic Act 10533, under section 7, together with DEPED, CHED, and NGO’s shall
participate and be involve in various workshop and seminars.
According to a survey of the Kto12 Basic Education System in the Philippines 44 percent of adult
respondents stated that they were dissatisfied with the Kto12 program as of June 2022. Even
me was also dissatisfied with the Kto12 curriculum particularly when pandemic happened. For
two years in senior high school I admit that I’m not competent enough to compete globally.
Lack of trainings and experience are just some of other reasons. Just like Sir Jake Carbonquillo
stated, that the Kto12 curriculum was idealistic and the problem is the implementation. One of
the challenges in Kto12 curriculum is the insufficient of resources such as classrooms, learning
resources, and teachers that are all significant in learning of the students Another drawbacks of
the Kto12 program is it’s costly particularly to the skill related tracks, they have to buy their
own resources and pay for off school trainings. Another drawbacks of Republic Act 10533 is the
lacking of teacher’s who have major in specialization. I’m many cases there are teachers who
does not teach based on his/her specialized subject that results to poor academic performance
of the learners. An example of this is using Mother tongue as a learning resources, which is a
deficit because there are teachers who are not expert in native language and has a conflict on
variation of native language in different areas.
For the past years, The education system of the Philippines continue to evolve and innovate.
The Department of Education is putting efforts on research for the improvement of the
curriculum. Commencing on identifying the downside of the curriculum is a major step on
improving the curriculum. Some are the following measures; Increasing the salaries of the
teachers. Teacher spent most of their time making lessons plans, preparing for discussion ,
research and other schools related papers. Yet, the salary doesn’t correspond with the duties
and sacrifices of the teachers. Allocating higher funds for teachers will help them to focus on
their duties and responsibilities. Another thing that need to be improved is to reduce the
competencies and subjects. Learners should focus on the five competencies namely language,
reading and literacies, math, makabansa and GMRC. The grade 10 curriculum is outdated, there
ate lots of competencies needs to be attained with very limited amount of time. Focusing only
on five competencies will help learners to master necessary skills and to focus on their interest
necessary for their carrier choice. Another thing that should be done is to remove mother
tongue as a medium of instructions because there are confusion and misinterpretation in
various native terms that makes the learners not progressive. The Republic Act 10533 or the
Kto12 curriculum will forever be part of the Philippines education system. The Kto12 curriculum
will remain as a blueprint for it’s global standard that will elevate the ways of living of many
Filipinos.