The Night Class of the Dumaguete City High School is still open for enrollees for the school year 2012-2013.
Household heads are encouraged to enroll their domestic helpers or kasambahay in the DCHS Night Class. Self-supporting individuals are also encouraged to to enroll in the Night Class. Classes start at 4:30pm and end at 9:40 pm. TLE classes are held on Saturdays.
To date, 15 students are enrolled in Grade 7/1st year, 26 in 2nd year, 24 in 3rd year, and 31 in 4th year, or 97 students who compose the population of the Night Class. At least five more students are needed in Grade 7.
DCHS Night Class is K to12-ready. The school is implementing the enhanced 12-year curriculum starting with Grade 7 students as part of the DepEd’s plan to begin unclogging the basic education curriculum this school year. Incoming freshmen of SY 2012-2013 will be the first beneficiary of a free senior high school education that will be made available by DepEd in public schools beginning SY 2016-2017.
The basic secondary education curriculum of the DCHS Night Class is designed in accordance with the K to 12 education vision for students who work but are willing to finish their high school education.
DCHS Night Class implements the junior high school and senior high school curricula. Senior high school curriculum provides two years of in-depth specialization for students depending on the occupation/career track they wish to pursue. The curriculum will indulge the students in Agriculture & Fisheries, Science & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Music & Arts, and Sports. Henceforth, the two years of senior high school provide the students with the opportunity to consolidate their acquired academic skills and competencies that are relevant to the job market.
Electives to be offered in senior high school include arts, music, technical-vocational.
DCHS Night Class adheres to the principles that kindergarten and 12 years of quality basic education is a right of every Filipino, therefore, must be and will be provided by government and will be free. A full 12 years of basic education will eventually be required for entry into tertiary level education (entering freshmen by SY 2018-2019 or seven years from now).
Adding two more years in high school, in principle, will decongest and enhance the basic education curriculum, provide better quality education for all, and inspire a shift in attitude that completion of high school education is more than just preparation for college but can be sufficient for a gainful employment or career.
At present, it has been noted that insufficient mastery of basic competencies is common due to a congested curriculum wherein the 12-year curriculum is being delivered in 10 years. Other countries view the 10-year education cycle as insufficient. That is, high school graduates are younger than 18 years old, and lack basic competencies and maturity. They cannot legally enter into contracts and are not emotionally-mature for entrepreneurship/ employment.
The Philippines is the only remaining country in Asia with a 10-year basic education program. “K to 12 is not new,” a researcher noted. “The proposal to expand the basic education dates back to 1925. Studies in the Philippines have shown that an additional year of schooling increases earnings by 7.5 percent. Studies in the Philippines have shown that an additional year of schooling increases earnings by 7.5 percent. Studies validate that improvements in the quality of education will increase GDP growth by two to 2.2 percent. Minus two instead of plus two for those families who cannot afford a college education but still wish to have their children find a good paying job.
Right now, parents spend for at least four years of college to have an employable child. In our model, parents will not pay for two years of basic education that will give them an employable child. In effect, we are saving parents two years of expenses. The plan is not Plus 12 years before graduation but minus two years before work.
Graduates of the DCHS Night Class that provides the Enhanced K t o12 Basic Education Program, will acquire mastery of basic competencies, be more emotionally mature, be socially-aware, proactive, involved in public and civic affairs, be adequately prepared for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education, be legally employable with potential for better earnings, and be globally-competitive.
“Every graduate of the Night Class Program is an empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global communities, the capacity to engage in autonomous critical thinking and the capacity to transform others and one’s self.”
What will society gain from K to 12? According to research, K to 12 will facilitate an accelerated economic growth, and facilitate a mutual recognition of Filipino graduates and professionals in other countries.
“A better educated society provides a sound foundation for long-term socio-economic development. Several studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education will increase GDP growth by as much as two percent. Studies in the UK, India and US show that additional years of schooling also have positive overall impact on society.” (Jaime J. Pajunar, teacher-in-charge, DCHS Night Class)
