DEADLINES

“Saturdays and Sundays are supposed to be your rest days!” A statement we could barely
count with our fingers. These amusing hypocrisy makes a student who hardly sleep sarcastically
laugh and sneer.
The existence of K-12 curriculum in the Philippines or the Republic Act of 10533 known
as the “Enhance Basic Education Act of 2013” makes the education system in our country
progressively worse. With an additional two years that must be accomplished by the students
which are the Grade 11 and 12 in order to proceed to college; together with a total of eight hour
studying hours plus countless assignments, activities, and tasks. Dimming their enthusiasm to
take college aside from the weariness from their junior high school years. Most of the students’
time revolves around the institution yet the Philippine manage to rank as one of the lowest
performing countries and is 5-6 years behind in learning competencies according to Program for
International Student Assessment or PISA on 2022.
Everyone is suffering from this current suffocating curriculum like teachers, parents, and
particularly students. Whereas it is an extra burden specifically financial burden to a family who
just have enough to their table, for teachers who are budgeting their time for other
responsibilities as an individual. Moreover, to students who are drowning from the abyss of
academic responsibilities.
Acquiring knowledge must not the only aim on todays’ education rather the deteriorating
health of students both physically and mentally caused by this oppressive curriculum. “Have
some rest and enjoy the weekend,” said the teacher after giving a bunch of homework on Friday
despite the existence of No Homework Policy Act of 2023 which prohibits mandatory homework
or assignment on weekdays, and only on weekdays. Yet will ask, “What did you do during
weekends?” after failing to pass all the activities assigned to a student who already looks like a
panda due to lack of sleep. In spite of these unfortunate situations the expectation among
students continuously skyrocketing imposing the scratch and overly used quote of our national
hero Dr. Jose Rizal that states that, “The Youth is the Hope of Our Nation.” How can we be able
to stand-up for other when we cannot even stand-up for our ourselves? We barely survive from
the weights of academic responsibilities that keeps on dragging us down. Academics that teach
us to fight rather than to learn, survive. It may be a good thing but it is exhausting.
Fortunately, the Department of Education (DepEd) has shed light among students by
introducing the Matatag curriculum which focuses on decongesting the existing curriculum for
kinder up to Grade 10 to resolve misplaced learning competencies. For the record its pilot
implementation this coming school year 2024-2025 and will gradually be effective per grade
level which will focus on honing proper conduct among student by removing other unnecessary
subjects and replacing it with value-centered subjects like Good Manners and Right Conduct
(GMRC).
Endless numbers of school hours, subject, and learning competencies will not guarantee a
successful education in students’ academic journey because learning is useless when it is not
being utilize for ones’ own betterment. School should not solely focus on teaching student how
to solve, how to read and write, as well as how to count but must focus on developing the holistic
development of students including their mental and physical health, and should aim to creating a
well-mannered individual furthermore, a good citizen.
Learning is a continuous process and cannot sped up by deadlines. Deadlines that kill
happiness and productivity among students. Schools are training ground for molding students’
holistic development not a place where survival and unjust sacrifices are required just to escape
from the shadows of academic responsibilities.