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K+12 EDUCATION–UPLIFTING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
Marian Baltazar
Class of 1980 University of the Philippines Manila
Political Science
As the Department of Education (DepEd) bares its 12 year basic education plan, a lot of critiques have been
raised relative to the said program to be implemented in the Philippines. We all know that we have
undergone the 10-year education program for centuries now and introducing this new program is not really
new to us since some of the exclusive schools here in our country have implemented this said program. The
program, which is called “K plus 12” means Kinder plus 12 years. Thus, the K+12 System will basically include
the Universal Kindergarten, 6 years of Elementary, 4 years of junior high school with an additional 2 years for
senior high school. Statistics itself shows that only 16% of college students graduate from college. Having this
proposal will actually benefit the 84% who may not get a college degree.
The DepEd feels that the kind of education (the four-year high school program in the Philippines) is inadequate
and therefore insufficient in preparing the high school graduates for the “world of work” and “higher
education”. The K+12 aims to make the basic education sufficient enough so that anyone who graduates will
be gainfully employed and have a productive life. Moreover, the said program aims to uplift the quality of
education in our country, not only for the graduates to be easily employed but it also aims to meet the
standards required for professionals who would want to work abroad. This kind of system aims to fully enhance
and develop the students so they would be well-prepared especially in emotional and cognitive aspects.
We know pretty well that a lot of students and parents are not in favor of the so-called program. For the
students, it means additional two years of study and for the parents, it’s additional expenses. Indeed there’s an
undeniable fact that this would require more budgets not only for the government but for the parents as well.
Not to consider the fact that students will need more classrooms, school supplies and facilities, the program
will also require more qualified teachers too.
Knowing all these constraints, the fact still remains that as for the parents (like me), we have all been doing our
best in pursuing our child’s education. Let us remember that this program aims for what’s best for our
children for we all know that this will make them globally competitive, which will mean success not only for our
child but for us too. Yes, there may be a lot of factors to consider for the “K+12” to succeed, but as long as we
open our minds to change and we will take it in a very optimistic way, we can definitely attain our most-aspired
educational standards which would eventually play a great role in our country’s progress and development. It
will even uplift us and our country from poverty. It will reach out to all kinds of learners regardless of age,
gender, ethnicity and social status which is also in keeping with the goal of the United Nations- that initiated
Education for all.
Questions for discussion:
1.
Will the K+12 Education enhance the students’ knowledge?
2.
Will this program uplift not only the education of the Filipino people but also their lifestyle?
3.
How will the K+12 Education be an answer to our country’s problem on poverty?
4.
Do the pros weigh more than the cons of the said program?
5.
Do you agree of this proposal by the DepEd?