On Enhanced Basic Education Act or K12 Program

I just got an email that got me into writing about the new educational system that the Philippine government will implement starting this school year, 2013 where the first batch of the new system will graduate in March 2018. The Enhanced Basic Education Act or K12 where children will be required to undergo a one-year kindergarten education and 12 years of basic education. The 12 years basic education would cover six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school.

In comparison to the education system we were used to in the past decades, there will be an additional 4 years in basic education. So after Grade 6 there will be Grade 7-10 , which will be known as Junior High School (JHS), then an additional Grade 11-12, or Senior High School (SHS) .

The senior high school level is the secondary education level where students will be given the free hand on choosing the career path they want in life that suits their interest or lifestyle, the community need or the result of their skills assessment. SHS level is where they can choose if they want to continue their academic education and pursue a degree, or enroll in a technical-vocational course, sports or arts training.

The SHS will allow mastery of core competencies for lifelong learning and preparedness for work, higher education, middle-level skills development, or entrepreneurship. By Grade 11 and 12, the technical training skills would entitle the student for a national certification. And this is where technical and vocational schools come in — they are expected to have influx of SHS students by 2016 and 2017.

 

Image from greenwichroundup.blogspot.comPersonally, I don’t give much thought about this educational system as my daughter have different educational needs. However, I think this will be difficult for the current economic status of the average Filipino. Not everyone has the capacity to give their children the full educational support they need up to SHS unless the government gives more fund for the free public education up to this level.

I am not against this new system, in fact I am in for it and support it 100%. Most kids of this present decade I believe is very different from decades ago especially with the digital age. I just hope our government will be able to cushion and not sanction parents who can’t afford.

Parents, are you ready for this? What are you thoughts about the Philippines new educational system?

Stay gorgeous everyone!