K-12 Program: Boon or Bane?

The K to 12 Program which 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), has since met with so much public opposition. Many people still express an
unfavourable opinion on its implementation as it could only aggravate the issue on education in
the country. Moreover, critics continue to insist that the country is yet prepared for this transition
due to the lack of resources, tools, classrooms and many more. Though many would still not
agree with its implementation, the K-12 program is still beneficial as it gives a better quality of
education and can ensure employment after graduation.

The K-12 program is beneficial as it gives a better quality of education. According to the
DepEd, while the K-12 is not the solution to all the ills of the Philippine educational system, it
has addressed to one of its main weaknesses—the congested curriculum. Now decongested, it
has given students enough time to master basic academic skills as well as to participate in co-
curricular and community activities. Every Filipino child has continually accessed to early
childhood education through universal kindergarten. At 5 years old, children start schooling and
are given the means to slowly adjust to formal education. Likewise, the use of mother tongue as
the medium of instruction has ensured the students to understand better the concepts taught in
school. In addition, with the additional 2 years in high school, K-12 has equipped every student
with skills that made them ready for college, employment or entrepreneurship. I, as a recent
high school graduate can attest to that. Though initially, I thought that the two extra years would
be a huge burden but now I think it is worth it because what I learned is helping me in my
college today. The academic track prepared me for college which injected me the vital
knowledge, skills and subjects to tailor my course. It developed me to have an academically
prepared mind and a routine that made me college-ready.

On the contrary, quality education is still questioned due to the issue on the inadequacy
of classrooms, facilities and equipment and other instructional and teaching materials. Many
schools especially the public ones are still not yet ready to accommodate the rising number of
students in the country.

That is why to guarantee that learners will receive a better quality of education; a need to
improve the school facilities and materials is done. The implementation of K-12 program has
had its developments since including the improvements on the inadequacy of facilities and
materials. For the past few years, the government has been investing and building more school
buildings, improving school facilities and hiring highly qualified teachers for the K-12 program.

Furthermore, the K-12 program is beneficial as it can ensure employment after

graduation. K to 12 has prepared students for work. It has afforded ample learning time for
students to master study areas and focus on their interests. Hence, graduates will gain job-
specific skills even without a college degree. In addition, with the added two years in high
school, they will graduate and be 18 years old, the legal age for full-time employment.

However, many still believe that there is no assurance that every student gets a job after
graduation. In addition, firms may not still be able to fit in the needs of the large number of high
school graduates who may want to apply for a job. As a result, graduates who cannot go to
college will in turn be jobless thus, making the program not beneficial at all.

This is why senior high school students can earn a senior high school diploma,
certificate of competency, and national certifications that follow TESDA’s training regulations.
This has allowed them to gain mid-level skills and offer more chances of landing a job or
becoming an entrepreneur. DepEd joined forces with the Commission of Higher Education
(CHED) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). This move has aimed to offer
more chances for and make sure that firms will be open and kind to K-12 graduates and working
students. In addition, according to Education Secretary Leoner Briones, the outcomes of the first
two years of implementing the senior high program have exceeded expectations.

K-12 program is a need in the country, not only because of the numerous advantages
that it has towards the overall education system, but it has also been proven to be useful in
preparing the children prior to college, if not, fit to work . Although problems may arise, its
benefits, in the long run, are more important for the country as a whole. The K-12 will not only
improve the quality of education but also the lives of Filipinos. With the job opportunities offered
for K-12 graduates and better quality of education for students, this program is truly beneficial
for everyone.