DepEd eyes 2025 rollout of revised K-10 curriculum

MANILA, Philippines — Significant changes in the basic education curriculum may be implemented starting 2025, an official of the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed the other day.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” over Cignal TV’s One News, Education Assistant Secretary for operations Francis Cesar Bringas said they are now finalizing the revised Kindergarten to Grade 10 (K-10) curriculum that was recently published for public feedback.

“We are now completing and finalizing the shaping paper and soon we will be incorporating the comments of the public in our curriculum guide so we can do necessary adjustments and, hopefully, by the end of July we will be ready for its launch,” he said.

“We are just completing also the policy guidelines on its implementation because we are looking at the 2025 implementation of the new curriculum,” he added.

Bringas clarified that the K-12 program will still be implemented as proposals to amend the law are still pending in Congress.

The revisions will first be applied in the K-10 curriculum as the review of the implementation of the senior high school (SHS) program is still ongoing.

Last May, the DepEd formed a task force to look into the SHS program and existing policies “to ensure consistency, responsiveness and relevance to the needs of the learners and stakeholders.”

Bringas said the task force will also look at how the program is addressing the needs of the labor market, noting issues on the employability of SHS graduates.

The task force was directed to submit its findings and recommendations next year.

Reduced learning areas

According to Bringas, the revised K-10 curriculum will reduce the number of learning areas in the foundation years or from Grades 1 to 3.

Based on the draft released last May, Grades 1 to 3 students will have a new subject called Sibika, Kultura, Kasaysayan, at Kagalingang Pangkatawan (SIKaP), which merges Araling Panlipunan and the Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health.

The separate mother tongue subject will also be removed, although it will still be used as the medium of instruction in primary years, particularly in English and Filipino subjects.

The DepEd is also proposing a separate reading and language subject for Grade 1, also to be taught using the mother tongue.

Several groups have urged the DepEd to reinstate the separate Philippine history subject in junior high school.

The agency has yet to confirm if the recommendation will be incorporated in the final version of the revised curriculum.

Opening of classes

Bringas told The Chiefs that proposals to revert to the old school calendar are still being studied by the DepEd.

“As of now, we are still having our opening of classes for the 2023 to 2024 school year by August… Definitely not June,” he said, noting that the current school year will end on July 7.

“But the reversion or not to June as an opening is still a question, although we are looking at both possibilities,” he added.

If ever the agency decides to revert to the June school opening, he stressed that it will not be abrupt, citing factors such as the rule on number school days and the mandatory school break for teachers.

“Our basic principle is when there is lesser disruption of classes and an environment that is more conducive to teaching and learning,” he said in Filipino.