43 graduate as 1st batch of K-12 completers

CEBU, Philippines - With the implementation of new education scheme in the country, 43 students graduated yesterday as the first batch to complete the K-12 program in Cebu City.

Of the 43 students, 24 graduated from Barrio Luz National High School and 19 from Zapatera National High School.

These schools were the two chosen by the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division to be the first to execute the K-12 program back in 2015. The other 47 public high schools offering senior high are expected to produce graduates next year, 2018.

In an interview, Barrio Luz National High School Principal Gemma Bendeber said that the new education program is effective in that there are already work opportunities waiting for the graduates.

The 24 graduates of Barrio Luz National High School completed the Food Manufacturing curriculum for senior high, while the 19 graduates of  Zapatera National High School finished the Construction curriculum.

Aside from certificates of completion from their respective schools, the graduates also received certifications from the Technical Education Skills Development Authority for the skills they have acquired.

DepEd Cebu City Division School Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan admitted that they met problems during the implementation but they were able to overcome these.

“We have encountered challenges considering that it is the first time of senior high school implementation. However, with the collaborative planning with both internal and external stakeholders, we were able to address it. For classrooms not completed on time, schools adopted several strategies like utilization of non-academic rooms,” he told The FREEMAN, adding that they also linked with private companies, the local government unit and non-government organizations.

Germany-based AFOS Foundation and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry are among the sponsors of the programs offered by the respective schools.

In Dagatan’s assessment, the pioneer implementation of the K-12 education system in the city was successful.

“On the view of the two schools (Zapatera and Barrio Luz) with early implementation, it can be considered effective in the sense the graduates, especially technical vocational, has three options – trabaho, negosyo o kolehiyo,” Dagatan said.

Carmel Deloy, who graduated with recognition as best in cookery, pastry production and food processing from Barrio Luz National High School, considers the K-12 program as an effective education system because students are given an opportunity for advanced learning in a specific field.

“Effective kaayo kay nakita man sad nga kami ang first batch nga product and majority namo naa na’y trabaho gahuwat. My advice to others nga be open-minded lang ta kung unsa ang gi-implement sa government nato kay para raman sad na sa atoa,” she told The FREEMAN.

Asked to give words of gratitude during the graduation ceremony held yesterday, Deloy said she is grateful with what she has achieved with all the sacrifices, adding that this gives her perseverance to continue with her studies.

She encourages others to continue to reach for their dreams and be responsible.

Deloy is already a mother of one child, but even so, she prefers to continue studying. She wants to pursue a college degree in line with the curriculum she completed for senior high, though she has not decided yet which school she will attend in the coming school year.  Barrio Luz National High School Grade 12 Adviser Deseree Atabay said it was good to see the pioneer product of K-12 program graduate but also said that one problem they encountered during implementation was that the students themselves were dropping out.

“35 sila supposedly but some of them dropped (out) kay dili ka manage sa time ba. Ang uban man gud nila kay minyo na… In order to resolve this, kami nag home visit mi, encouraging them, and naa man po’y ni-sponsor nga mahatagan sila’g assistance para magsige gihapon sila og skwela,” she said.

The academic classes for senior high are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, while Fridays are for practical application.

During the graduation rites, Councilor Augustos “Joy” Young delivered an inspirational message to the graduates encouraging them to pursue college degree. (FREEMAN)