‘Enhanced K+12’ unveiled

Despite protests, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday unveiled the government’s plan to add two more years to the current 10-year basic education curriculum.

The model disclosed by Education Secretary Armin Luistro during celebrations marking World Teachers Day would add two years of “senior high school” to the current system and will be implemented beginning school year 2016 to 2017, contrary to previous expectations.

“After considering various proposals and studies, the model that is currently being proposed by DepEd is the K-6-4-2 model or the Enhanced K+12. This model involves Kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school [Grades 7 to 10] and two years of senior high school [Grades 11 to 12],” Luistro said during a press conference.

To address concerns from various educational sectors, he added that the implementation of the program will be phased.

“Universal kindergarten will be offered starting school year 2011 to 2012. By school year 2012 to 2013, the new curriculum will be offered to incoming
Grade 1, as well as to incoming junior high school students. The target of DepEd is to put in place the necessary infrastructure and other necessary arrangements needed to provide senior high school education by 2016 to 2017,” Luistro said.

He explained that 12 years of basic education will eventually be required for enrolment before entering college by school year 2018 to 2019.

The Education secretary said that the two years of senior high school are intended to provide time for students to “consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies.”

“The curriculum will allow specializations in science and technology, music and arts, agriculture and fisheries, sports, business and entrepreneurship and subjects for advanced placements,” he added.

Luistro said that the program will not deviate from the Education department’s effort in addressing the problems in the basic education sector, such as lack of classrooms, textbooks, teachers and other facilities.

“Expanding the education program will be pursued mindful of the need to address the input shortages-teachers, classrooms, desks, water and sanitation and quality textbooks,” he added.

The DepEd has included a provision for substantial physical requirements in the 2011 budget.

It is also looking to introduce a budget that will constitute a significant increase in real terms for subsequent years.

The Education department will receive a P207-billion budget next year—an increase from this year’s P172 billion.

Of the amount, the department has allocated P12 billion for construction of new classrooms nationwide.

Benefits of the program

Luistro defended benefits that will result from the enhanced K+12 program, saying that it will decongest academic workload, provide graduates with competencies and skills relevant to the job market, prepare graduates for higher education and enable them to earn higher wages or prepare them better to start their own business.

On the societal and economic levels, the Education department said that the enhanced K+12 program will bring forth accelerated economic growth and provide a sound foundation for long-term socio-economic development.

“The objective of the K+12 program is to improve quality of basic education as several studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education will increase GDP [gross domestic product] growth rate by as much as 2 percent.

GDP is the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year.

Studies in the United Kingdom, India and the United States show that additional years of schooling also have positive impact on society, Luistro said.
Despite having disclosed the plan, he added that consultations will continue with education stakeholders.

“This is not a final plan and we will consult as much as possible. It may not be as perfect but we are hopefully it is realistic affordable and can also bring different parties together,” the Education chief said.

Money talks

Meanwhile, the Education department belied initial prognosis of former DepEd Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz that the implementation of the enhanced
K+12 program will reach P100 billion spread over five years.

DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Francisco Varela said that an initial financial survey that they had conducted showed the financial requirement will run to about P43 billion.

“The preliminary capital cost is estimated at a one-time P43.671 billion [classrooms, chairs, water and sanitation] while annual recurring costs [teachers, textbooks and maintenance and operating expenses] is at P16.792 billion,” he added.

Several groups oppose the adding of two years to the basic education curriculum.

Rep. Raymond Palatino of Kaba-taan party-list said that the program would mean extra expenses for parents of public school students, a majority of whom belong to impoverished sectors.

He added the enhanced K+12 program will not solve the high rate of unemployment in the country.

“The proposal itself is very ideal, if not whimsical, for a country whose public spending for education is one of the lowest in the world,” Palatino said.

The Teachers Dignity Coalition and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers have also reiterated their opposition to the enhanced K+12 program, saying that the DepEd should first address the basic problems plaguing the country’s educational system, among them lack of classrooms.

Some 30 members of the militant League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan earlier staged a protest action at the Ultra Complex in Pasig City (Metro Manila) where the celebrations of World Teachers Day were being held.

But they were not able to march to the DepEd office there since anti-riot policemen and traffic enforcers blocked their path.

Approximately 10,000 teachers attended the event graced by President Benigno Aquino 3rd and other members of the Cabinet. –Maria Nikka U. Garriga, Reporter, Manila Times