CONVERSATIONS: Are two more years of basic education necessary? #K12

MANILA, Philippines – Today, June 4, marks not only the start of classes for public schools nationwide. Today is also the first day of classes for the first batch of students under the K-12 program, which will add two years to the country’s 10-year basic education system.

Incoming grade 1 and 7 (first year high school) students will be the first batch to fully undergo the program. In addition, 5-year-olds starting school this year will be required to enter kindergarten. The Department of Education (DepEd) will also be implementing a new curriculum alongisde the K-12 program.

K-12 was implemented to put Filipino students at par with their counterparts from neighboring countries. Prior to its implementation, the Philippines was the only Asian country with a 10-year basic education cycle.

As the Department of Education moves forward with the program, it carries along with it problems that have plagued public schools since time immemorial — a lack of teaching materials, proper sanitation, and classrooms, to name a few. 

What effect do you think the K-12 program will have on the youth? Are you for it or against it? If you had a choice, would have opted to take two extra years of basic education when you were younger? Tell us what you think! 

Leave us a comment on Facebook, or send us a tweet using the hashtag #K12. 

Here’s what our online community is saying: 

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