No abrupt shift to 12-year education: Luistro

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday clarified that the government’s proposed 12-year education cycle will be introduced gradually.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro clarified that it will take a 4- to 5-year transition period before the program, which calls for a 12-year basic education cycle, is implemented.

“Ang reform would take a transition [of] 4 to 5 years so as not to be disruptive… we are undergoing a major curriculum review [and it] will take a while before it can be implemented,” he said.

The plan will add 2 years to the current basic education curriculum.

In the coming days, Luistro will also discuss with lawmakers if a new law needs to be enacted, or whether an amendment to the law on basic education will suffice to accommodate the new program.

The 12-year education cycle, or the “Kindergarten + 12” program, aims to match basic education cycles in most countries in the world, and to produce skilled and “employable” high school graduates.

The 12-year education plan includes 7 years of primary (elementary) education, and 5 years of secondary (high school) education. The proposal also includes one year of pre-school for pupils before entering Grade 1.

The 12-year education cycle is estimated to cost the Philippine government an additional P100 billion spread out in 5 years. ABS-CBN News Channel