The Philippines is the only country in the ASEAN region that still has only ten years of basic education for its students. In fact, aside from a few African countries, we are the only country in the world that maintains that ten years is sufficient for basic education.
Here is the total number of years of basic and pre-university education in the ASEAN countries: Brunei: 15 years; Cambodia 13 years; Indonesia: 13 years; Laos: 13 years; Malaysia: 13/14 years; Myanmar: 12 years; PHILIPPINES; 10 YEARS; Singapore: 12 to 14 years; Thailand: 12 years; Timor: 12 years; Vietnam: 14/15 years.
One can argue that we cannot match the more advanced and richer countries in our region like Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. It is hard to believe that there are still Filipinos who maintain that we cannot afford to give our students the same basic education as countries like Laos, Timor, Myanmar and Cambodia.
The K to 12 program seeks to give every Filipino student – especially the poor – the opportunity to receive quality education that is globally competitive based on a pedagogically sound curriculum that is at par with international standards. Let me emphasize again that we are talking about standards that apply not just to the riches countries – which are beginning to go beyond 12 years of basic education – but even to the poorest countries which are, at least, trying to give their youth a fighting chance to gain employment opportunities in the 21st century.
One of the observations of many employers is that our public high school graduates are not qualified even for the most basic jobs. That is why we find that even messengers, retail clerks and technicians are often required to have a college or university degree. These are positions that high school graduates should be qualified to assume. That is why another goal of the K to 12 program is to “broaden the goals of high school education for college preparation, vocational and technical career opportunities as well as creative sports, sports and entrepreneurial employment in a rapidly changing and increasingly globalized environment.”
There are those that argue that we should postpone the start of the K to 12 program. I argue that the deadline for starting this program is long overdue. For the sake of the Filpino youth, this should be started immediately. Again, are we prepared to say that we are less ready than the other countries in ASEAN, like Laos and Cambodia? Surely not and they pushed through with their own 12-year basic program because they considered it a necessity and not a luxury that can be postponed.
This proposal to extend the number of years of basic education is not new. In July 1949, the UNESCO Consultative Educational Mission to the Philippines submitted a comprehensive report on the Philippine educational system to then President Elpidio Quirino. Among its general conclusions was the following statement:
“The program of six years in the elementary school and four years in the secondary school does not seem adequate for a common school period. Eventually this should be extended to at least 12 years, with compulsory attendance in the elementary grades and free schooling for those desiring it in the secondary grades.”
The question many might want to ask is why only is it being implemented now if the K to 12 program is such a necessity. Even DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro says that this is not a new idea. The name may be new but past administrations have considered this program. Luistro said: “ it’s not new. If you review the history of the Department (of Education), the Monroe commission during the American period, their first recommendation was to add a fifth year (high school).”
So where did the idea germinate. Br. Luistro was former President of De La Salle University. He explains: “When I was in La Salle, I was part of the Philippine Business for Education ( PBE). PBE as a group , and this included industry partners and educators and other civil society leaders, put together an education agenda. At that time, the thinking was we cannot just support government, we also have to push and do our share in terms of reforming society, and te best way is to start in education. If you look at how it evolved, educators came together and said what do we need to do? Most of what you find in the K to 12 reform is there, pushed by the PBE and supported by an even bigger network.”
The K to 12 program will be the greatest legacy of Secretary Luistro. But aside from this program, the Department of Education has been one of the best performing agency in the P-Noy administration. Consider a few facts and statistics.
Classrooms were always a big program in every administration in spite of the big budget for Education. It is no secret that there were many “leakages” and PDAF type scams in the past when it came to classroom construction. Then there were also constant complaints of shortages of teachers. Here are certain that are truly impressive.
In terms of classrooms constructed: In 2010: 3,291 classrooms; in 2011: 12,513 classrooms; in 2012: 16,323 classrooms; 2013: 34,686 classrooms; and in 2014: 33,608 classrooms.
In terms of new teachers hired: in 2010: 11,347 teachers; 2011: 13, 268 teachers; 2012: 15253 teachers; 2013: 58,793 teachers 2014: 29,394 teachers.
There has also been a reduction in the number of congested schools. In 2011 there were 81 elementary schools with 4 shifts and in 2014 this was reduced to 0 schools. In 2011 there were 461 elementary schools with 3 shifts and in 2014 this was reduced to 14 schools.
In 2011 there were 296 secondary schools with 4 shifts and in 2014 this was reduced to 0 schools. In 2011 there 53 secondary schools with 3 shifts and in 2014 this was reduced to 4 schools. There has also been a steady improvement in completion rates and National Achievement Test scores for both elementary and secondary schools.
The Department of Education has meticulously prepared an implementation plan for the Senior High School program which it presented to Congress last March 11. Among the plan is a Senior High School Voucher Program under which the government will pay for senior high students who cannot be accommodated in public schools and must enrol in private school.
Fifteen DepEd secretaries have grappled with the herculean task of reforming Philippine education. Perhaps it is because Br. Armin Luistro, the current DepEd Secretary considers education a vocation and not just an occupation; and he has no political or economic agenda; and, he has the capacity to think in terms of addressing the root cause of poverty that we have a secretary prepared to make this bold in spite of political challenges.
Education is the pathway for the poor to have an opportunity for a life of human dignity. It is for them and the future generations of Filipinos that we need to go forward and not take backward steps again. The K-12 program will allow us to catch up with the rest of the world and we need to do that now.
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Summer Creative Writing
Classes for Kids and Teens
The Wonder of Words: Stories, Graphic Lit, Poetry and more.
May 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15 (6 sessions), 1pm-3pm (for 7-10 years old) and 3:30pm-5:30pm (for 11-17 years old) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. Facilitators are Neni Sta. Romana Cruz and Roel Cruz with guest authors Mabi David and Dean Alfar.
Young Writers’ Hangout with published authors
April 18, 25, May 23 and 30, 1pm-2:30pm (for 7-17 years old) at Canadian American School Alphaland Makati.
For registration and fee details contact 0917-6240196 or writethingsph@gmail.com
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