K to 12, the key to success

K to12 is not a perfect curriculum but in spite of its imperfection, it is evolving towards perfection for curriculum is always dynamic and changing. When this major educational reform was initially crafted, many negative opinions cropped up.  At present, the second phase of its implementation is in place. Sad to say, many dissenting opinions are continually brought into public notice which can mislead the public and eventually turn their back from this reform. With this, I am very much concerned of misinforming the public about K to12. In fact, even some of the teachers themselves who are supposed to be implementors of this new curriculum are going with the band of people who have dissenting views about this. I supposed they are one of the experts who should disseminate the real score about K to12. If experts and those people responsible for implementing  the said curriculum are dropping their ball  by misinforming the Filipino public then politics will play and the misinformed public will be kept in the dark. This is an irony to Filipinos because we have a high regard for education. Thus, in the midst of this dilemma, I am writing this article with the hope of informing the public about the good thing that K to12 can do to our 21st century  learners and to our country as a whole.

According to DepEd Under Secretary Dina Ocampo, K to12 is the product of the many reforms that the Department of Education had introduced in the past.  The reforms in the past are not meant to overhaul the whole curriculum but just to change the design. In the new K to 12 curriculum the reform consists of enhancing it by adding kindergarten and senior high school. However, the essence of the curriculum in between Grade 1 to Grade 10 are still intact and are being improved. This educational reform at present are meant to cater the needs of the 21st century learners and the demand of the labor market.

With regard to expanding the ten-year school program to 13 years, Bologna Process of the European Union and Washington Accord of the United States have this to say, "it is found to be the adequate period for learning under basic education." Once the learners have finished their basic education through the K to12, they are already in their majority age. This means to say they have now the legal capacity to transact business and to apply for employment in accordance with the Philippine Labor Code. With the K to12, the 21st century learners will be able to acquire Certificates of Competency  and National Certificates  which will be in accordance with TESDA Training Regulations. Consequently, the 21st century graduates will acquire middle-level skills that will give them wide opportunities to be employed or become entrepreneurs.

Moreover, K to12 caters the needs of both tech-voc  and academically-inclined learners. We have to take note that majority of our public high school learners are tech-voc inclined. The curriculum is tailor-fit for their inclination. Their technical and soft skills will be developed especially during the senior high school years. At the same time, few academically-inclined learners who would match with College Readiness Standards of CHED will be given the opportunity to pursue further education. With the expected results of meeting the needs of the 21st century learners and attaining their total human development, the young graduates will feel secure of their future employment and enterprise. Surely, this will redound to the benefit of the whole country.

Despite the many criticisms against the new K to12 curriculum, I still believe in the wisdom and expertise of the people who crafted it both from the public and private sectors. Their work and sincere intention to contribute for the betterment of our youth and society are highly commendable. Yes, DepEd is not alone in this endeavor. Thus, we should share our efforts collectively with her so as to attain the realization of dreams of our 21st century learners.

Charlie W. Zayas

Pit-os National High School

Pit-os, Cebu City