Senate starts debates on K+12

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate has started plenary debate on a bill seeking to increase the number of years in the country’s basic education or the K-to-12 program.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, sponsored Senate Bill 3286 yesterday, which he said would enhance the curriculum so the Filipino student would be better prepared for higher education.

“They will be prepared for higher education, middle-level skills development, employment and entrepreneurship,” Angara said.

The K-to-12 program would mean two additional years in high school – four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school.

At least one year of kindergarten was also included in the bill as part of the K-to-12, but this was already included in Republic Act 10157 or the Kindergarten Education Act.

“We hope that this would be facilitated because this is not a new measure. This went through several public hearings, the consultations were very extensive and for almost a year, the DepEd (Department of Education) held consultations all over the country,” Angara said.

Parents have raised concerns over the proposed bill, citing the expected increase in costs with the additional two years of secondary education of their children.

The senator admitted this was unavoidable, while Education Secretary Armin Luistro argued that the impact would not be that much if the costs of higher education would be considered.