Progress Report: K-12 Curriculum in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

Education program by the Department of Education, said to refurbish the basic

and secondary education curriculum by adding two more years to the system, is arguably
one of the most drastic and controversial programs of the Aquino administration.
The K-12 curriculum is designed to enable graduates to join the work force right
after high school, and suitably prepare those who want to go on to higher education. The
new curriculum will also support college graduates seeking work abroad. Developed
countries, according to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) briefer, “view the 10-year
education cycle as insufficient”.

CURRENT PROGRESS AND FUTURE PROGRESS

There is an urgent need to enhance the quality of basic education in our country as
seen in the education outcomes of Filipino students and the comparative disadvantage of
the Philippines with regard to other countries. The following data would support this
explanation:
At present, the Philippines is the only country in Asia and among the three
remaining countries in the world that uses a 10-year basic education cycle. According to
a presentation made by the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization
(SEAMEO-INNOTECH) on Additional Years in Philippine Basic Education (2010), the
comparative data on duration of Basic and Pre-University Education in Asia shows that
the Philippines allots 10 years not just for the basic education cycle but also for the pre-
university education while all the other countries have either 11 or 12 years in their basic
education cycle.
Achievement scores highlight our students’ poor performance in national
examinations. The National Achievement Test (NAT) results for grade 6 in SY 2009-
2010 showed only a 69.21% passing rate while the NAT results for high school is at a
low 46.38%. Moreover, international tests results in 2003 Trends in International
Mathematics and Science study (TIMSS) show that the Philippines ranked 34th out of 38
countries in HS Math and 43rd out of 46 countries in HS II Science. Moreover, the
Philippines ranked the lowest in 2008 even with only the science high schools joining the
Advanced Mathematics category.
The Department of Education claims that K-12 will solve the annual growing
number of out-of-school youth. This sounds good but does it really address the problem
concerning the country’s out-of-school youth? Students and parents complain that it
would be an added burden to them particularly to poor families. It is human nature to
prioritize physiologic needs before anything else.
However, the enhanced K-12 curriculum is designed to provide a holistic
education for all. Now decongested, it will give students ample time to master basic
academic skills as well as to participate in co-curricular and community activities. During
this present time the following are considered as the advantages of the said curriculum:
It will provide time for the student to consolidate acquired academic skills and
competencies.
It will also decongest and enhance basic education curricula, provide quality learning,
and be at equality with other countries in Asia which provide more years for basic
education.
The additional two years in the said program is crucial to come up with a proposal
in enhancing our basic education program in a manner that is least disruptive to the
current curriculum, most affordable to government and families, and aligned with
international practice.
This quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school
graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education.
It’s a good opportunity to match the academic levels of other countries.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, students from junior high school must start planning for their
careers in their future. The students must focus on exploring the world of their careers, so
that they would have a background in the strand that they will choose in senior high
school and the course that they will choose when they reach college. Additionally, the k-
12 curriculum brought a lot of changes and knowledge to every student. Government
seems to be focused more on enhancing the educational status of the country.
Furthermore, parents play an important role in career choosing for they will be the one to
lead their sons and daughters in choosing the right path in their future.
K-12 CURRICULUM PROGRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Progress Report

Presented to

Dr. Lolita Geronaga

(Instructor)

Abada College

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Subject

Technical Writing

Prepared by:

Fernando, Abegail D.

December 2019