K + 12 program necessarily enhance the academic achievements of the
graduates. Being left behind academically is the very reason why our administration is pushing for K + 12 programs. And enhancing the quality of basic education in the Philippines is really urgent and critical. Why? Where are we now, lets check! First, the poor quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education. If the years were adequate, how come employers do not often hire high school graduates? Obviously, because high school graduates are younger than 18 years old and lack basic competencies and maturity. They cannot legally enter into contacts and are not emotionally, psychologically and intellectually mature for entrepreneurship or employment. Second, the current also reinforces the misperception that basic education is just a preparatory step for higher education. why prioritize minority of high school graduates that will go to colleges? In front of us the solution for our being left behind in reality. Minus 2 years instead of plus 2 for those families who cannot afford a college education but still wishes to have their children find a good playing job. Right now, parents spend for at least 4 years of college to have an employed child. In effect of this program, parents can now save 2 years expenses. The plan is not plus 2 years before graduation but minus 2 years before work. To inspire a shift in attitude, the completion of high school education is more than just preparation for college but can be sufficient for a gainful employment or career. For those who cannot pursue higher education, either by choice or by circumstances, can find a dignified livelihood. On the other hand common people might be thinking that government does not have enough funds for this. Precisely, this is wrong conception. The government will not launch any program that in the end, it cannot be supported. When in fact, the DepEd had allocated Php 13,384,880.00 for regional textbooks and teachers manuals. The provisions of textbooks and teachers manuals will allow DepEd to achieve the 1:1 textbooks to the learners throughout the five years life span of textbooks and manuals. Worrying for the K + 12 cost we shouldnt be bothered about it unless we dont have fund but we do have! The DepEd has Php 207.3B ( including the educational facilities fund ) represents 12.6% of the total budget and retains the top position. This will be the biggest increase allocated for education over a decade. The immediate cost for the program will not be needed until 2016 when the first year of the two additional years is implemented. I quest to open the minds of every Filipino parent and listen to the practicability of the K + 12 program. Widen their horizon on new changes that their children could get and not just limit themselves on the financial aspect because this program would actually make every Filipino students globally competitive in the near future.
Benefits of the K to 12 Program of the Department of
Education By: Gilbert M. Forbes DepEd- Quezon Region IV-A Though quite a number of the populace are already amenable with the K to 12 Program of the Department of Education, still quite a larger chunk are not still convinced about its relevance even when it is already starting this school year 2012-2013. They still contend that it will be problematic. It is not surprising however because of the popular media. Education practitioners particularly school leaders believe otherwise. Contrary to popular beliefs, the program intends to benefits families and individuals and most importantly the economy for the following reasons: Enhanced and Decongest the Curriculum. This set up will give students more time to master competencies and time for extra-curricular activities, thus allowing for a more holistic development. Teachers will also be able to ensure that every competencies are taught and mastered and all the necessary skills are transferred and developed. Usually teachers are not able to teach all the content of the curriculum due to time constraint particularly the competencies of the fourth quarter which are all essential and prerequisites for the next level. It is further complicated by calamities both natural and man made plus a lot of holidays and celebrations which are usually extended shortening the number that pupils and students should spent in school. What is most surprising is the fact that, we are teaching a curriculum which requires at least 12 years to finish for 10 years only! Acquisition and possession of skills relevant to the job market. At present, most of our graduates are either too young or lacking the necessary skills and competencies most of the companies requires. Most believe that only college education is the best way to be gainfully employed. However, even having college education is not enough and actually is not the job market needs thus many ends up factory workers, call center agents, service industry crews, repairman. For both the struggling and middle income families, it is a great waste of time of money. The K to 12 basic education curriculum will be sufficient to prepare students for work. So most parents are freed from the burden of having to spend for college just to make their children employable. It will also slowly erase the common weak thinking that college is only the best route for success and gainful employment.
Higher opportunity for gainful employment or becoming an entrepreneur. Currently,
high school graduates are not only too young but are actually ill equipped for work so if their families can't afford to send them to at least two-year technical courses end up idle. Hence they have nothing to do, they end up joining their peers or barkada and usually learn vices or worst end-up into serious trouble. If they would have been in school, it would likely be no happening. On the other hand, those who are able to finish at least two-year technical and vocational courses of commercially oriented institutions are hardly fit for work particularly those in Marine Transportation and IT because the industry commonly demands at least four years of education. With K to 12, students are given opportunity to acquire Certificates of Competency (COCs) and National Certifications (NCs) in accordance with TESDA training regulations thus allowing graduates to have a middle level skills which will offer them better opportunities to be gainfully employed. There will be schoolindustry partnership for technological and vocational (techvoc) tracks to allow students gain work experience while studying and offer opportunity to be absorbed by the companies. Better prepared for college. Due to enhanced curriculum that will provide relevant content and attuned with the changing needs of the times, basic education will ensure sufficient mastery of the core subjects to its graduates such that graduates may opt to pursue higher education if they choose to. Those who dont could immediately start earning for their livelihood thus contributing already to the improvement of their families and of the economy. College Graduates recognized anywhere in the world. Our graduates, particularly engineers, doctors, architects, etc., could now be recognized as professionals anywhere in the world. Those who intend to study abroad will meet the entrance requirements of foreign schools. Currently, except for the Middle East, our professionals are not regarded as equal in countries in America and Europe. The Washington Accord prescribes 12-year basic education as an entry to recognition of engineering professionals. On the other hand, the Bologna Accord requires 12 years of education for university admission and practice of profession in European countries. Economic Growth. The economy is expected to experience accelerated growth in the long run. Several studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education increases GDP growth by as much as 2%. Studies in the UK, India and US show that additional years of schooling also have positive overall impact on society. Sound foundation for long-term economic development. A better educated society provides a sound foundation for long- term development for the new system will contribute to the development of emotionally and intellectually mature individuals capable of pursuing productive employment or entrepreneurship or higher education disciplines.
Changes to basic education
The K-12 Basic Education Program aims to provide every Filipino child with the education s/he needs to compete in a global context. In May, President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines signed into law a basic education curriculum that will see a mandatory kindergarten year and two additional senior high school years added to what was a 10-year education curriculum to make basic education 12 years. The programme has been adopted not only in schools in the Philippines, but also in Filipino schools abroad that follow the departments curriculum. Gulfnews reports: According to Aquino, the K-12 programme will pave the way for an ever brighter future for young Filipinos by equipping them with basic education up to international standards. The goal of the new curriculum is to give Filipino students enough time to master skills and concepts so that they are ready for tertiary education when the time comes. Kindergarten was previously optional, and advocates of the K-12 programme argue that students who went to kindergarten are better prepared for primary education than those who did not. In addition, the K-12 programme provides for the use of the mother tongue language as the medium of instruction for students in the basic and lower years to facilitate and expedite learning. This fabulous interactive map of all public schools in the country could be a useful tool in planning a recruitment strategy. It contains data on the schools budget, enrolment statistics, education indicators, number of teaching personnel, furniture, textbooks, classrooms, plus the water and power supply of some 45,000 schools nationwide. 10 Point Education Agenda The move to the K-12 policy comes as part of the 10 Point Education Agenda which was set out by the current government administration. The K-12 Basic Education Program, universal kindergarten and instruction in mother-tongue languages are but
three of the ten points Aquinos administration want to implement in order to
improve the overall quality of education in Filipino schools. The other seven points include: Establish the Madaris Education as a sub-system in the current education system; Make every child a reader by Grade 1; Improve science and mathematics; Expand government assistance to private education; Better textbooks; Build more schools in cooperation with local government units (LGUs); Re-introduce technical and vocational education in public high schools.