Does K-12 Education the Solution?
Is K-12 Education the Solution?
With the launching of the K-12 educational systems in the Philippines many have supported it and many have expressed doubts on this move by the government. K-12 covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six (6) years of primary education, four (4) years of Junior education, and two (2) years of senior high school) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. But still we are faced with this question: Is K-12 really the solution to the few of the many problems of the Philippines?
Most of us are firm believers that change is needed and must be constant; however, some remain uncertain of the outcome of this change in our educational system.
From the point of view of the skeptics, there is this harsh reality that we lack resources, infrastructure, manpower and funds. A book is shared by 3 students, a teacher shared by thousands. Teachers are even overworked and underpaid. They do not get the respect that they deserve when in fact they are the builders of society. How can we expect good returns if in the first place we lack the capital? We have a good potential pool; however we cannot take advantage of it due to financial constraints. Moreover, this program will surely create a vacuum in the tertiary level. Obviously, it adds insult to an injury.
For the optimists however, what they see are self-directed learners who are able to face the real world after finishing the K-12 program. Surely, there would be problems to be encountered but the government is doing decisive moves in order to address each problem which may hamper the program’s implementation. As a matter of fact, the Department of Education is doing its best to bridge the gap between what is and what should be in terms of resources, infrastructure, man power and funds.
Contrary to the misconception
With the launching of the K-12 educational systems in the Philippines many have supported it and many have expressed doubts on this move by the government. K-12 covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six (6) years of primary education, four (4) years of Junior education, and two (2) years of senior high school) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. But still we are faced with this question: Is K-12 really the solution to the few of the many problems of the Philippines?
Most of us are firm believers that change is needed and must be constant; however, some remain uncertain of the outcome of this change in our educational system.
From the point of view of the skeptics, there is this harsh reality that we lack resources, infrastructure, manpower and funds. A book is shared by 3 students, a teacher shared by thousands. Teachers are even overworked and underpaid. They do not get the respect that they deserve when in fact they are the builders of society. How can we expect good returns if in the first place we lack the capital? We have a good potential pool; however we cannot take advantage of it due to financial constraints. Moreover, this program will surely create a vacuum in the tertiary level. Obviously, it adds insult to an injury.
For the optimists however, what they see are self-directed learners who are able to face the real world after finishing the K-12 program. Surely, there would be problems to be encountered but the government is doing decisive moves in order to address each problem which may hamper the program’s implementation. As a matter of fact, the Department of Education is doing its best to bridge the gap between what is and what should be in terms of resources, infrastructure, man power and funds.
Contrary to the misconception