Why is the K to 12 program better than the current educational program?
-K to 12 offers a more balanced approach to learning that will enable children to acquire and master life-long learning skills (as against a congested curriculum).
-It will help in freeing parents of the burden of having to spend for college just to make their children employable.
What will happen to the curriculum? What subjects will be added and removed?
– There will be continuum from Kinder to Grade 12; and to technical and higher Education.
– The current curriculum will be decongested to allow for mastery of learning.
– In Grades 11 and 12 (HS Years 5 and 6), core subjects like Math, Science, and English will be strengthened. Specializations in the students’ areas of interest will also be offered.
– Right now, a technical working group has formulated the new curriculum framework, standards, and competencies for K t o12. Experts from CHED, TESDA, and other stakeholders are part of this working group. After this, the changes in terms of subjects added, removed, and enhanced will be clearer.
Is K to12 required for private schools as well? Will the same implementation timeline apply to private schools?
-Since private schools follow the DepEd curriculum, they will also be implementing the 12-year basic education program but the implementation plan will differ. This will be discussed with the representatives of the private schools.
– Private schools are active participants in developing the K to 12 program.
– Note that a number of private schools offer at least 12 years of basic education: two years kindergarten, six or seven years of elementary, and four years of high school.
When will the K to 12 program be implemented?
– Universal kindergarten started in SY 2011-2012.
– The new curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 (High School Year 1) will be implemented in SY 2012-2013 and will progress in the succeeding school years.
– Grade 11 (HS Year 5) will be introduced in SY 2016-2017, Grade 12 (HS Year 6) in SY 2017- 2018.
-The first batch of students to go through K to 12 will graduate in 2018.
Where will the additional two years be added?
-The two years will be added after the existing four-year high school program. This will be called Senior High School.
Will senior high school be implemented in existing high schools? Or will new schools be built?
– Existing schools will be used for the additional two-year program. DepEd is likewise in discussions with CHED, TESDA, and private schools to use their existing facilities during the transition period and beyond.
What specializations will be offered in senior high school?
– Among the specializations offered will be on academics, middle-level skills development, sport and arts.
– Specializations will also be guided by local needs and conditions.
How about the additional cost to parents?
– Grades 11 & 12 (HS Years 5 and 6) will be offered for free in public schools.
– K to12 graduates will have higher earning potential since they will be more competent and skilled compared to graduates of the current 10-year system.
– DepEd is in discussion with CHED on the possibility of decreasing the number of years of certain courses in college.
– K to 12 graduates will have national certification from TESDA which will enable them to have higher employment opportunities.
What will happen to the college and universities during the two-year transition period (SY 2016-2017 and 2017-2018)?
-DepEd is in the process of formulating a transition management plan which includes working in collaboration with other educational institutions during the two-year gap. The arrangements may include using private school facilities and teachers for senior high school during the transition period.
– DepEd is working closely with private educational institutions to address these transition management issues.
How will the K to12 program help working students (college level)?
– DepEd is in collaboration with the CHED to provide more opportunities for working students to attend classes.
– DepEd is working with the Department of Labor & Employment to ensure that jobs will be available to K to 12 graduates, and that consideration will be given to working students.
How will the K to 12 program help students intending to pursue higher education?
-The K to12 basic education curriculum will be in accordance with the college readiness standards from CHED which sets the skills and competencies needed of K to 12 graduates who wish to pursue higher education.
– CHED will download its general education subjects to Grades 11 & 12 (HS years 5 & 6) of K to 12, ensuring mastery of core competencies for K to 12 graduates. This may lead to a reduction in the number of years of college courses, resulting to a decrease in educational expenses of households.
How will K to 12 help in ensuring employment for our graduate?
– The K to 12 basic education curriculum will be sufficient to prepare students for work.
– The curriculum will enable students to acquire Certificate of Competency (COCs) and National Certifications (NCs). This will be in accordance to TESDA training regulations. This will allow graduates to have middle-level skills, and will offer them better opportunities to be gainfully employed.
– There will be school-industry partnership for technical-vocational tracks to allow students to gain work experience while studying, and offer the opportunity to be absorbed by the companies.
