K TO 12 CURRICULUM: ITS GOALS AND BENEFITS TO THE FILIPINO LEARNER AND COMMUNITY

One of the greatest reforms in the Philippine Educational System today is the implementation of the K to 12 program.

The enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program seeks to provide for a quality 12 – year basic education program that each Filipino is entitled to. This is incognizance with Article IV Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that: “The state shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society”.

The new program was patterned from the K – 6 – 4 – 2 Model. This means that basic education involves kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (Grades 7 – 10) and two years of senior high school (Grades 11 – 12).

Those who go through the 12 – year program will get an elementary diploma (6 years), a junior high school diploma (4 years) and a senior high school diploma (2 years). A full 12 year of basic education will eventually be required for entry into tertiary level education.

Universal kindergarten was offered starting school year 2011 – 2012. This school year, 2012 – 2013, the new curriculum will be offered to incoming Grade I as well as to incoming junior high school students (Grade 7 of High School year 1).

The goal of the enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program is to create a functional basic education system that will produce productive and responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies and skills for both life – long learning and employment. The program will enhance the basic education system to full functionality to fulfil the basic learning needs of students. This is in line with the agenda of President Benigno Aquino III of having quality education as a long term solution to poverty. In order to achieve these goals, the program has the following twin – objectives:

a.) To give every student an opportunity to receive quality education based on an enhanced and decongested curriculum that is internationally recognized and comparable;

b.) To change public perception that high school education is just a preparation for college; rather than, it should allow one to take advantage of opportunities for gainful career or employment and/or self - employment in a rapidly changing and increasingly globalized environment.

The benefits of the K to 12 program far outweigh the additional costs that will be incurred by both government and families.

To individual and families:

1.) An enhanced curriculum will decongest academic workload, giving students more time to master competencies and skills as well as time for other learning opportunities beyond the classroom, thus allowing for a more holistic development.

2.) Graduate will possess competencies and skills relevant to the job market. The program was designed to adjust and meet the fast changing demands of society to prepare graduates with skills essential for the world of work.

3.) Graduates will be prepared for higher education. Due to an enhanced curriculum that will provide relevant content and attuned with the changing needs of time, basic education will ensure sufficient mastery of core subjects to its graduates much that graduates may opt to pursue higher education if they choose to.

4.) Graduates will be able to earn higher wages and/or better prepared to start their own business.

There is a strong correlation between educational attainment and wage structure and studies specific to the Philippine setting show that an additional year of schooling increases earnings by  7.5 %. This should also allow greater access to higher education for self – supporting students.

5.) Graduates could now be recognized abroad, Filipino graduates eg. Engineers, architects, doctors, etc., could now be recognized as professionals in other countries. Those who intend to study abroad will meet the entrance requirements of foreign schools.

For the Society and the Economy:

1.) The economy will experience accelerated growth in the long run.

The objective of the K to 12 program is ti improve quality basic education. Several studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education will increase 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.

2.) The Philippine education system will be at par with international standards. K to 12 will facilitate mutual recognition of Filipino graduates and professionals following the Washington Accord and the Bologna Accord.

      Washington Accord prescribes 12 years basic education as an entry to recognition of engineering professionals.

      Bologna Accord requires 12 years of education for university admission and practice of profession in European countries.

3.) A better educated society provides a sound foundation for long – term socio – economic development.

The enhanced K to 12 Basic Education System will contribute to the development of emotionally and intellectually mature individuals capable of pursuing productive employment and entrepreneurship or higher education disciplines.

In the near future, the smooth transition from the existing 10 - year education cycle to the K to 12 basic education cycle will produce holistically developed Filipino learners with 21^st  century skills, which they can use to become productive and responsible citizens of the country.

References:

http://www.deped.gov.ph/ c  pa/uploads/issuance Img/K 12% 20 new.pdf

http://www.washingtonaccord.org/Wasington Accord/ FAO, cfm

Semeo – Innotech Additional years in Philippine Basic Education: Rationale and Legal Bases Presentation to the Department of Education on 25 August 2010

K to 12 Basic Education Program Brochure

DepEd order #31,s.2012 – Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Grade I to 10 of the K to 12.

Basic Education Curriculum Effective School Year 2012 – 2013