THE implementation of the K12 curriculum is the latest attempt of
the government to reform the Philippine educational system. And considering the theory that in every change, there is always a resistance, the implementation K12 curriculum last year was met with some oppositions and negative reactions. These adverse reactions came from different sectors of society, including even from the academe.
The enabling law of the K12 curriculum is Republic Act
10533, which is commonly known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. And because of this law, the government through the Department of Education has to implement the program.
What makes the law controversial and seems to be
unwelcome particularly to the parents is that it provides for two additional years in the secondary education, which is known as senior high school. Parents argued that they would be spending more money for the education of their children.
But what the parents failed to appreciate in the K12
curriculum is that senior high school students would be taught about knowledge and technologies in that after completing the additional two years in the senior high school, they would now be equipped with skills and knowledge that is responsive to the needs of the job market and industries. By acquiring these skills and knowledge, senior high school completers will become globally competitive.
Let us be aware that being globally competitive does not
mean we will export our senior high school completers abroad. Instead, it means that young Filipinos have the skills that can set the difference, enable sustained investments and help an emerging country like the Philippines become more competitive.
The No. 1 factor to become a financial center is to have a
large pool of skilled people. If you havent got skilled people, the jobs wont come, and while you can compete in terms of the cost [of labor] alone for a period, unless you can add value to the skills, those jobs will eventually move along like a commodity, said Simon Culhane, chief executive of the London-based Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).
Senior high school completers will eventually fill in the needs
of the job market for skilled workers. And when they land in jobs, then it can really have a great impact to our economy.
So instead of criticizing the K12 curriculum, it is my hope
that Filipinos will rally behind this new program of the Philippine educational system.