MANILA, Philippines – Incoming Education Secretary Leonor “Liling” Briones once again expressed support to the K to 12 program as classes opened on Monday.
In a televised press conference, Briones said the reform to the K to 12 program "is six years in the making" and is required by law.
“For the past five years, the curriculum has been already changed for the K to 12 program,” she said in the press conference.
Briones, a University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance professor emeritus and former National Treasurer, explained that the Philippines is among the three countries in the world with 10 years of basic education. Most countries are already following the 12-year basic education system.
She said the K to 12 program would help local professionals, citing that employers abroad reject them while job hunting due to lack of two-year basic education.
Briones said adding two more years in basic education would not only help Filipinos who wish to seek jobs abroad but would also help tourism since there are also foreigners who wish to study in the country.
“Hindi naman ito para sa labas [lang], para din ito sa atin dahil mayroon na tayong programa na ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration,” Briones explained.
Briones responded to those who oppose the K to 12 program by likening it to building a house, adding that it is her favorite analogy. She said the transition process should be made before it is accomplished to oversee the errors early on.
The incoming Education secretary also assured teachers and students that none of them would be left out by the program since it has already been prepared.
“Hindi natin sinasabi handang-handa na tayo pero tayo ay nagtatayo ng bagong bahay sa edukasyon,” Briones said in comparison.
"Tayo ay nagtatayo ng bagong bahay sa edukasyon. Ilang dekada na nating sinasabi na kulang ang ating edukasyon. Angal tayo nang angal. Ngayon may ginagawa na. Ngayon may nangyayari na. Tulong-tulong tayo para sana madagdagdan natin ang mga impormasyon…May magagawa tayo,” she said.
Briones and current Education chief Armin Luistro visited Commonwealth National High School to observe the school opening on Monday.
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he asked Briones to oversee the implementation of K to 12 program.