K+12 CURRICULUM

I Introduction One specific bureaucratic reform initiative that has been undertaken to address the human resource management concerns and issues in the bureaucracy is a reform in educationthe introduction of K+12 curriculum, although there have been clamors regarding its implementation, because it will be adding another two (2) years to basic education. This K+12 curriculums are part of continuing education so that content and methodologies can build on each learning block of students. To mention other reforms, there is a suggestion for the inclusion of biodiversity education in academic curriculum in many academic institutions throughout the country. This should start in pre-schools, so that

protection of our environment shall be taught to children as a way of life, after the disasters that come our way. In line with the nutritional status/health condition of poor children, nutrition campaign has been the advocacy of concerned citizens, because of the results of our students performance which is very low, nutrition has been found to be one factor. This is one way of helping poor families provide healthy/nutritional foods for their children. That is why teachers keep on attending seminars in academic subjects such as: English, Mathematics, and Science, particularly in the use of computers as a tool in teaching-learning process which is found to be effective in classroom use.

The purpose of this research is to find out the enabling and hindering factors for change, and to show recommendations on how initiative could be sustained or done better. II Body/Content A. Enabling Factors for Change According to President Benigno Aquino III, we need to add two (2) years to our basic education to catch up with the rest of the world. I want at least twelve (12) years for our public school children, to give them an even chance at succeeding. By the school year 2012-2013, all public schools will begin using the new K+12 curriculum, but only for grade one and first year high school. BY the time Aquinos term ends in 2016, the entire K to 12 cycles should be in place and all public schools would already have a senior high school component. (Grade 11 and 12 or 5th and 6th year high school depending on how one views it.) On the other hand, the now K to 12 curriculum will define the character, purpose and vision of our youth, as individuals and as a part of a collective whole. It has correctly identified reading as a core K to 12 competency, when he said that every child passing pre-school must be a reader by grade I. Libraries must be built, provide reading books to support local authors, and train more elementary teachers on how to teach reading. The K+12 program is a revision of the 10-year basic education system implemented in the country that consists of six (6) years of elementary education and four (4) years of secondary education. The new program is designed to meet the fast-changing demands of

society by providing students with adequate skills needed for college education and employment after completion of a chosen course. It is expected to fill in the deficiencies and strengthen the students competencies in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science. After the initial implementation, the department working on the building blocks of the program which are: Curriculum Transition Management, Financial Resources and Legal

Framework. Moreover, the K+12 program is a reform plan that would institutionalize public school kindergarten for better preparation of early learners, decongest the elementary and high school curriculums and introduce two (2) high school levels for specialized training and vocational skills, agriculture, sports, music and the arts, among other employable skills. B. Hindering Factors for Change Those who oppose this educational program say that the objective of K+12 is to produce semi-skilled workers as cheap labor for the multi-national corporations to exploit. With the inequities in terms of economic status, majority of the people are most willing to enter into jobs no matter how dangerous or short-lived. There are sound bites from parents objecting to the extra two (2) years of education which means paying another two (2) years of tuition fees, fares or budget for school service, school supplies and books, school uniforms, etc. This is a financial burden every parent will shoulder. Colleges and universities also lament that enrollment for next year might drop.

Parents would like to know precisely what our students are supposed to be learning at what stage during the 12 year cycle. Other stakeholders need to be assured that the minds and hearts of their children will be in good, capable and caring hands of our schools. In short,

stakeholders and parents need to know exactly what this new curriculum really is.

The

objective of this new educational program should be made clearer and justifiable to compensate for the financial burden it will bring to parents who are already struggling to have their children sent for school. Short term quality education instead of long term one should be provided which offer or teach subjects that will be applicable ones employed or will be useful even without obtaining or pursuing a college degree. Its mind boggling why were we studying the Filipino Subject from elementary to high school when once employed or one have a business of our own, we cannot put to use the lessons we had. If proficiency in speaking the national language is the purpose, surely we can be fluent in this by sitting in front of the television every time we have the chance, from news programs to tele-novelas. Also, cooking, cosmetology, and dressmaking are taught in Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) in high school with the current educational system. Why not enhance this subject by giving substantial budget so that public school students will be not burdened financially. You do not need to spend for an HRM course, which mostly teaches food preparation, if you are already good at it in high school. You can even have a business of your own and it cannot be denied that food is one of the best businesses. Maybe we should train future business minded people, not future slaves of multi-national corporations. Every program of the government has its own promises, challenges and problems. Back in 2004, there was a DEPEd order to implement the Bridge Program which was not successful for it was a short-lived program for high school students.

In fact, there are parents who ask why the K+12 is better than the existing one, and how the K+12 program would help in ensuring employment for the graduates. The assurance is that the program offers a more balanced approach to learning that will enable children to acquire and master lifelong learning skills as against a congested curriculum. It will help in freeing parents of the burden of having to spend for a college education as assurance that their children will be employed after obtaining a course. The K+12 curriculums will enable students to acquire a Certificate of Competency (COCs) and National Competency (NCs), and will give them better opportunities to be gainfully employed. As assurance for employment, business organizations, local and foreign chambers of commerce and industries have agreed that graduates of K+12 will be considered for employments. There will be a matching of

competency requirements and standards so that 12 year basic education graduates will have the necessary skills needed by the labor market. Recommendations should include coordinated efforts of several government entities such as the Department of Education, Commission of Higher Education, TESDA, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, ECCDC, NCAA , and CCP, as well as the education committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It should be made clear that the K+12 program is not a purely DEPEd initiative but is an effort by the entire government and the private sector to improve education in our country (not just basic, but also higher and technical education). III Reflections

Every President of the Republic has his/her program for curriculum implementation. Hopefully this program will at last succeed because it is geared towards immediate employment in local and international market after the students obtain their certificate of completion. We should not depend on national government officials but the local officials (LGUs), DEPEd, and PTAs should join forces for quality education and health of our students. The national and local stakeholders should be committed to take the lead in implementing education programs. More educational reforms should be provided to enable the local schools to produce competent, responsible, and globally competitive basic education learners. Hopefully, the budget intended for the K+12 should be directed towards program implementation alone with interference from other projects.

REFERENCES

Crismundo, Mike U. - LGUs, DEPEd, PTAs Join Forces for Quality Education, Manila Bulletin 2/21/11 Cruz, Isagani - Implementing the K+12 Curriculum, The Philippine Star, 12/12/11 Hernandez, Butch - K to 12 Will Define Our Youth, The Philippine Star, 12/17/11 Ronda, Rainier Allan - Incoming High School Freshmen to Become Grade 7 Next Year, The Philippine Star, 12/14/11

K+12 CURRICULUMS

Submitted by: John Philipp G. Gustilo Winston M. Makilan Jesus C. Baril Ricardo C. Sangrador, Jr.