K to 12: The Best Path for Students

K to 12: The Best Path for Students

Written by Jose Angelo Tiglao

Is the K-12 Program truly necessary here in the Philippines?

The Department of Education (DepEd) has proposed a possible shift of the country's basic education curriculum from a mere 10 years to a full 12 years of learning comparable to that of the United States of America. DepEd Secretary, Bro. Armin Luistro, has suggested this program in lieu of the ten-point agenda of the president of the Republic of the Philippines, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Currently, 70.9% of the unemployed workers here in our country are only high school graduates. This goes to show that due to lack of tertiary education, these high school graduates did not have the educational requirement for the jobs that they need; a problem that can be corrected by the K to 12 program.

Furthermore, students who cannot afford to pursue college cannot find a suitable job due to lack of academic credentials provided by the over-congested 10 year basic education. The current curriculum does not feed its students enough knowledge regarding different fields that the 12 year curriculum can provide. Some Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are not considered as professionals because of this problem.

Nevertheless, the country has still produced brilliant graduates through the 10-year education. Influential people like Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Benigno Aquino III are products of the current education system.

However, majority of students nowadays graduate in an early age, usually in the ages of 15-17. This age bracket shows that these graduates are not yet of legal age (which is 18); thus, may show signs of unpreparedness in getting a job, making a life-changing decision, or pursuing a higher education.

In conclusion, the K to 12 Program presents itself as a cure to the dilemma of unemployed graduates and those students who are unprepared to pursue higher studies. The DepEd's goal to prepare students to venture in reality through a 12-year basic education allows them to be confident in their future endeavors.

K to 12 is a need of the youth today to prepare themselves for their future. It is an improvement for the better.