DESPITE the protestations and five petitions in the Supreme Court against K-to-12 program, incoming Education secretary Leonor Briones said suspending the program may be more problematic than pushing through with its implementation which is already on its fourth year.
“The way I see it, definitely, there will be problems [in its implementation]. Suspending it could lead to more problems right now,” Briones said, adding that the program can help make Filipino students globally competitive.
She noted that a 12-year basic education curriculum is required for Filipino graduates to be eligible under the Washington Accord for engineers and Bologna Accord for the European Union.
The Philippines is the only country in Asia with less than 11 years of basic education, and among the last three countries with a 10-year curriculum.
“One with a masters or a doctorate degree will find it hard to find a [better] job abroad,” she added. “The question is, which is more harmful—to stop it at this time or to continue it as this time?”
While she understands the negative reactions over more additional burden to students and their parents, Briones insisted that the law’s implementation was long overdue and much preparation has already been made.
‘‘Many schools have been preparing for these challenges four years ago,” she said. “Many schools are prepared for such challenges. We are aware that both the Commission on Higher Education and DepEd have adopted contingency measures.”
To ensure an orderly and seamless transition, she said, a transition team has been created to coordinate with outgoing Education Secretary Armin Luistro.
“The new administration will come in on July 1. By then, Grade 11 of K-to-12 will be in place. What can be done by the incoming administration at this time is to monitor closely the implementation of Grade 11 starting June 13,” she said.
But Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said shortages of teachers and classrooms are expected to hound the opening of classes at the basic level next week.Ӭ