SWS: Only 39 percent satisfied with K-12 program

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos are dissatisfied with the implementation of the K-12 program, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

Based on the firm’s June 28 to July 1 survey released on Thursday night, only 39 percent of the respondents were either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with the program.

Thirty-seven percent said they were “very dissatisfied,” while 13 percent were “somewhat dissatisfied.” Another nine percent were undecided, while two percent said they do not know enough to give an answer.

Implemented starting 2012, the K-12 program overhauled the country’s basic education system. Among its key features were the universal kindergarten and the addition of two years of senior high school.

Several assessments, including those conducted by the Department of Education

(DepEd), showed that the program has so far failed to deliver on its promise to produce job-ready graduates.

The DepEd has recently unveiled a revised K-10 curriculum of the K-12 program, which is being piloted in several schools this school year. Its phased implementation will begin next school year.

The agency also formed a task force that is reviewing the implementation of the senior high school program. It is expected to complete the review next year.

The Marcos administration has yet to make a categorical position on calls to revert to the old 10-year basic education system.

But a proposal, filed by former president and House deputy speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, seeks to change the system to “K+10+2.”

Under the proposal, those who will finish Grade 10 will already be considered as high school graduates. Only those who will pursue a college degree will be required to take the additional two years.

The SWS survey had 1,500 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.5 percent.

Meanwhile, a renowned Filipino translator emphasized the crucial role of translation in fostering inclusive learning.

In a conference conducted by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), resource speaker and professor Tereso Tullao explained that by translating well-known books and pieces of literature to Filipino, knowledge becomes accessible and inclusive to all.

“It will enable students to read the Filipino translations of the works of Shakespeare, Adam Smith, and other prominent figures in the world. Knowledge then becomes inclusive,” Tullao said in his presentation.

Tullao also noted that translation helps in expanding the Filipino language.

The conference was held at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila from Sept. 27-29. — Nillicent Bautista