Despite the passage of an enabling law and the preparations undertaken by the Education Department these past few years, the K-to-12 basic education program remains a thorny, and often emotional issue, among Filipinos.
The arguments for and against the introduction of Grades 11 and 12 in basic education continue. Those supporting the program say it is a way of upgrading our basic educational system for it to be at par with those of the rest of the world. The current lot of college students is too young, too immature and too undecided about what they want to do with their lives. Giving them two extra years as senior high school students would prepare them better for their future. Ideally.
Meanwhile, those who oppose it say the additional two years are an unnecessary burden for parents who must provide for their children’s school needs. The families lose time—the children could already be pursuing higher studies, earning money or helping in the family livelihood.
This dilemma was briefly raised during the campaign, but now incoming Education Secretary Leonor Briones has said the program would continue under the Duterte administration unless it is stopped by the Supreme Court.
Classes for most schools begin next week with the first batch of Grade 11 students—those who would have been college freshmen under the old system—entering senior high school.
Briones said that the two extra years will allow graduates to become more competitive. She said she has also been aware of preparations made since the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 was passed. She intends to push through with these.
This is as it should be. The government cannot risk major policy changes at this crucial juncture, when children have already enlisted and when the curriculum has already been adjusted.
Then again, objections to the K-to-12 program mostly also involve doubts over the department’s ability to support the logistical needs of students in their two additional years. It must be said that many schools, especially in remote areas, still lacked the basic facilities even under the old system. There are issues with teachers, their skills and their salaries. Briones must find her plate full, this early. It’s a daunting task.
If the apparently smooth transition to Briones from Secretary Armin Luistro is to be an indication, we expect at least some calm and stability at the education department. For the sake of the millions of young Filipinos who must be made competitive to achieve their full potential, who need to be insulated from the whims and caprices of politicians, and who deserve quality basic education, this is a comforting thought.