“ Enhanced k+12 Basic Education Program towards Economic

Prosperity”

In 2017, the National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines

published the Philippine Development Plan, 2017-2022, detailing the country’s
aspirations for the next five years. The plan envisions the Philippines becoming an
upper-middle income country by 2022, based on more inclusive economic growth
that will reduce inequalities and poverty, particularly in rural areas. Human capital
development is a key element in this strategy and has been the impetus behind
various political reforms over the past years. Recent education reforms have
sought to boost enrollment levels, graduation rates and mean years of schooling in
elementary and secondary education, and to improve the quality of higher
education.

Many of these reforms were adopted against a backdrop of declining educational

standards in the Philippine education system during the first decade of the
21st century. A UNESCO mid-decade assessment report of Southeast Asian
education systems, published in 2008, for example, found that participation and
achievement rates in basic education in the Philippines had fallen dramatically, owed
to chronic underfunding. After rising strongly from 85.1 percent in 1991 to 96.8
percent in 2000, net enrollment rates at the elementary level, for instance, had
dropped back down to 84.4 percent by 2005. Also by mid-decade, elementary school
dropout rates had regressed back to levels last seen in the late 1990s.
The completion rate in elementary school was estimated to be below 70 percent in
2005.

At the secondary level, problems were omnipresent as well: the net enrollment
rate in secondary education, for example, had by 2005 dropped down to 58.5
percent, after increasing from 55.4 percent to around 66 percent between 1991 and
2000. Tellingly perhaps, the country’s youth literacy rate, while still being high by
regional standards, fell from 96.6 percent in 1990 to 95.1 percent in 2003, making
the Philippines the only country in South-East Asia with declining youth literacy
rates.

Such deficiencies were reflected in the poor performance of Filipino students in

international assessment tests, such as the Trends in International Mathematics and
Science Study (TIMSS). In 2003, the last year the Philippines participated in the
study, the country ranked only 34th out of 38 countries in high school mathematics
and 43rd out of 46 countries in high school science. Education spending as a
percentage of overall government expenditures, meanwhile, declined from 18.2
percent in 1998 to 12.4 percent in 2005. Between 2003 and 2005 alone, average
annual spending per public elementary and secondary school student fell from PHP
9,500 (USD $182.7) to PHP 8,700 (USD $167.3) in real terms.

To address these shortcomings, the Philippine government initiated

structural changes in the basic education system and significantly boosted
education expenditures. Crucially, the “Kindergarten Education Act”, passed in
2011, enacted a mandatory pre-elementary year of Kindergarten education, while
the “2013 Basic Education Act”, extended the elementary and secondary education
cycle from 10 to 12 years. The importance of this new 12-year education cycle (K-
12), which adds two years of mandatory senior secondary schooling for every
Filipino student, cannot be understated. Until the reforms, the Philippines
was one of only three countries in the world (the other two being
Angola and Djibouti), with a 10-year basic education cycle. As such,
the K-12 reforms are an essential step to improve the global
competitiveness of the Philippines and bring the country up to
international standards. Implementation of the new system is
progressing on schedule and the first student cohort will graduate
from the new 12-year system in 2018.

WHY K-12 ? WHAT IS K-12 PROGRAM?

WHAT IS K-12 PROGRAM?

The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years
of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High
School [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop
lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills
development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

WHY K-12 ?

Enhancing the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and

critical. Why?

Poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores of Filipino
students in the National Achievement Test and international tests like TIMSS (Trends
In Math and Science Subject); partly due to the congested curriculum; The current
10-year basic education curriculum is designed to be taught in 12 years.

 Our high school graduates are: not adequately prepared for the world of
work (most of the basic education graduates are too young to legally enter the
labor force (legal age would be 18)
 not adequately prepared to pursue higher education; or if prepared; end up
shifting courses
The 10-year basic education cycle hinders the recognition of Filipino professionals
abroad.

 The Washington Accord prescribes 12-years of basic education as an entry to

recognition of engineering professionals.
 The Bologna Process also requires 12 years of education for university
admission and practice of profession in European countries.

The Philippines is the only country in Asia and among the three remaining countries
in the world that has a10-year basic education cycle.

ASEAN Integration 2015 (Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,

Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)
 wider door for job markets HOWEVER competition will be tougher
 schools and universities have to compete with the world as “global athletes”
not just “barangay warriors”
 DepED, CHED, TESDA and DOLE should see to it that the academic
curriculum and technical skills would fit competition in the world market

The K to12 is Already a Law. REPUBLIC ACT 10533 “Enhanced Basic Education Act
of 2013”

The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program seeks to provide for a quality 12year
basic education program that each Filipino is entitled to. This is consistent with
Article XIV, Section 2(1) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that “The
State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated
system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.”

What is its EDUCATION VISION ?

 Every graduate of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program is an

empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on
sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations
for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be
productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global
communities, the capability to engage in autonomous critical thinking, and
the capacity to transform others and one’s self.
 A Vision Grounded on Human Development: The complete human
development of every graduate is at the core of the Enhanced K+12 Basic
Education Program. Every graduate holds an understanding of the world
around and a zest for life-long learning, which addresses every child’s basic
learning needs, including learning to learn, the acquisition of numeracy,
literacies, and scientific and technological knowledge as applied to daily life.
 The graduate also has the courage, the drive, and the relevant skills to
engage in work and have a productive life. Every graduate will be able to
embark in the modern world prepared to meet challenges.
 Every graduate will be able to think for himself/herself and make sound
decisions on the best courses of action to take in the different circumstances
 of his or her life. The graduate’s autonomous thinking is a product of the
capability for comprehension and critical thinking as well as the full
development of one’s unique personality.
 Every graduate is inculcated with the respect for human rights and values,
notably, Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, Makabansa, and Maka-Kalikasan. This makes
every graduate empowered to effect positive changes in his/her life and that
of others.
 A Vision Achieved through an Enhanced Curriculum: Every graduate of the
Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program will benefit from a reformed and
updated curriculum that is focused on enabling every child to achieve
mastery of core competencies and skills.
 A Vision that has Socio-Economic Relevance: Every graduate of the
Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program is ready to take his or her place as
a productive member of society. They are equipped to take on every
opportunity in life he or she chooses—to find work, to engage in higher
studies, or to start an entrepreneurial endeavor.
 This vision is consistent with the definition of an educated Filipino as
conceived in the Philippine Constitution and the World Declaration on
Education for All.

However , despite of the good intention for this K to12 Program many
parents asks as to where there students go after graduating Senior High ?

Students were enrolled according to their interests .For example for TVET
(TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING) NATIONAL
CERTIFICATE

After finishing Grade 10, a student can obtain Certificates of Competency (COC) or a
National Certificate Level I (NC I). After finishing a Technical-Vocational-Livelihood
track in Grade 12, a student may obtain a National Certificate Level II (NC II),
provided he/she passes the competency-based assessment of the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

NC I and NC II improves employability of graduates in fields like Agriculture,

Electronics, and Trade.
Thus , After going through Kindergarten, the enhanced Elementary and Junior High
curriculum, and a specialized Senior High program, every K to 12 graduate will be
ready to go into different paths – may it be further education, employment, or
entrepreneurship.

Every graduate will be equipped with:

1. Information, media and technology skills,

2. Learning and innovation skills,
3. Effective communication skills, and
4. Life and career skills.

What is the GOVERNMENT SUPPORT of the Program ?

The government support parents to let their students/ children to continue

their studies with the help of the Voucher Program :

 This program enables Grade 10 completers from public and private Junior
High Schools (JHS) to enroll in a (1) private high school, (2) private university
or college, (3) state or local university or college, or (4) technical-vocational
school, which will offer the Senior High School program starting School Year
2016-2017.
 Through the Voucher Program, students and their families are able to
exercise greater choice in deciding the Senior High School program that is
most relevant to their needs and career goals. A certain amount will be
subsidized by DepEd to private SHS to offset the cost of tuition.

 All JHS completers from public junior high schools are qualified to receive the
full voucher values.
 Private junior high school completers who are on Education Service
Contracting (ESC) grants will receive 80% of the full voucher value.
 JHS completers from private schools and non-DepEd schools can also apply
for vouchers worth 80% of the full voucher value.
 Students will be notified of their eligibility prior to completing Grade 10. No
monetary value is given to the student directly instead the subsidy is remitted
to the Senior High School where he/she will enroll.
The actual amount of the vouchers will depend on the location of the SHS where the
student will enroll.
 JHS completers who will enroll in a SHS located in the National Capital Region
(NCR) will receive a full voucher value of PhP 22,500.
 JHS completers who will enroll in a SHS located in Non-NCR Highly Urbanized
Cities (HUCs) will receive a full voucher value of PhP 20,000. These cities
include Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Davao
City, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo City, Lapu-lapu, Lucena, Mandaue,
Olongapo, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, and Zamboanga City.
 JHS completers who will enroll in a SHS located in other cities and
municipalities will have a full voucher value of PhP 17,500.

The voucher must be used in the school year immediately following the year of JHS
completion. A voucher recipient may only be able to avail of the voucher subsidy for
two (2) successive years.

Non-DepEd schools may charge tuitions that are higher than the voucher subsidy
amounts. Students and parents are expected to cover the difference between the
tuition fee charged by the school and the voucher subsidy from government.
 These are the advantages of the Voucher Program:

 For Students
The voucher program can provide high-quality education for all
types of students. Even those who normally do not have the
financial means will be able to choose from different schools. They
will not be limited to the schools that are provided by the DepEd.
 For Private Schools
Private schools with SHS will be able to tap into an expanded market
— students from public junior high schools

In SY 2012-2013, DepEd tested the SHS program to over 10,000 students in a total
of 56 schools around the Philippines. The results of this modelling program,
including best practices and learning experiences of students, have influenced the
creation of the current SHS curriculum.

Aside from the Voucher Program , the government support the education
system by providing the following ; REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10687 an act
providing for a comprehensive and unified student financial assistance
system for tertiary education (unifast), thereby rationalizing access
thereto, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

This Act shall be known as the “Unified Student Financial Assistance System for
Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act”.

- It is the declared policy of the State to promote social justice and pursuant thereto,
provide all its citizens access to quality education. Towards this end, the State shall
provide adequate funding and such other mechanisms to increase the participation
rate among all socioeconomic classes in Tertiary Education, especially the poor but
academically able and highly motivated students. This policy should enable them to
successfully pursue and complete Tertiary Education programs in quality institutions,
thereby promoting equitable and Rationalized Access by poor Filipinos to quality
Tertiary Education.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10650 - an act expanding access to educational

services by institutionalizing open distance learning in levels of tertiary
education and appropriating funds therefor

– This Act shall be known as the "Open Distance Learning Act".

– It is hereby declared the policy of the State to expand and further democratize
access to quality tertiary education through the promotion and application of open
learning as a philosophy of access to educational services, and the use of distance
education as an appropriate, efficient and effective system of delivering quality
higher and technical educational services in the country.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10648 - an act providing scholarship grants to top

graduates of all public high schools in state universities and colleges and
appropriating funds therefor

– This Act shall be known as the "Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014″.

– It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens
to quality and accessible education at all levels and to establish and maintain a
financial assistance system that shall be available to deserving students, especially
the underprivileged.

For this purpose, the government shall democratize access to higher education by
institutionalizing a college scholarship program to be named the "Iskolar ng
Bayan Program" for top graduates of public high schools in the country, subject to
the academic standards, application and admission policies and such other
reasonable rules and regulations of state universities and colleges (SUCs).

Last August 3, 2017, President Duterte, signed into law RA 10931, specifically
strengthening and mandating the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for
Tertiary Education (UniFast), an agency created under Republic Act No. 10687, to
implement all the identified programs stated in RA. No. 10931.

This program and the student loan program under RA. 10931 are expected to aid
around 1.3 million students with an at least P50 billion allocation budget.

Students in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges and
technical-vocational schools will be exempted from paying tuition fees and
miscellaneous fees. Honoraria of trainers in tech-voc schools are also waived.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) fully supports the “Tax Reform for
Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN)” law because it not only increases the take-home
pay of salaried Filipinos by reducing income tax rates and rationalizing tax rates in
other goods and services, but also funds the Free Higher Education law that puts
money in the pockets of students and their families.

The Duterte Administration put close to PhP8 Billion in the pockets of parents of
close to 900,000 students enrolled in 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
nationwide from the Free Tuition initiative of the government in academic year
2017-2018.

President Duterte’s signing of the RA 10931 or the “Universal Access to Quality

Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA)” law in August 2017 is putting an additional PhP16
Billion in the pockets of the families of some 1.3M students in 112 SUCs and 78
CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) due to free tuition,
miscellaneous and other school-related fees. Filipino families whose children are
benefiting from free higher education can now spend their money for other
household needs.

Some 300,000 poor students will also get an additional PhP40,000 to PhP60,000 per
year through the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). With a funding of PhP16 Billion,
the TES will be used for their books, food and other education expenses in either
public or private universities. The TES will put more money in the pockets of student
beneficiaries and their families.

The President also recognized the valuable efforts of Congress, CHED, TESDA, and
other state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, technical
vocational institutions, and other partners for making free quality tertiary education
for all a reality.

“Education is the single most important legacy that we can bestow upon our youth.
It opens doors for countless opportunities that will lead to their further
empowerment, greater success and the realization of their individual aspirations,”
the President said.

Indeed , we hope and pray that with the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education
Program anchored with the vision and mission of Department of Education ,
the Philippines is now moving towards Economic Prosperity .
References :

https://www.doncarlocavinaschool.com/why-k-12-what-is-k-12-program/

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct92/vol50/num02/-Changing-
Assignments%E2%80%94Pros-and-Cons.aspx

http://blog.vipkid.com.cn/pros-and-cons-of-teaching/

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-implementing-K-12-
education-in-the-Philippines

https://www.pressreader.com/

https://ched.gov.ph/blog/2018/07/10/free-higher-education-provides-more-spending-money-to-
filipino-families/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Access_to_Quality_Tertiary_Education_Act