President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated on Friday that the K to 12 program has not succeeded in increasing the employability of graduates in the Philippines.
In a discussion with incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Marcos mentioned that they are considering the introduction of short courses to enhance the employability of graduates.
“There are two elements we paid attention to specifically… No. 1, we implemented K to 12 because employers sought more years of training from job applicants, and it was noted that our system only provided 10 years,” Marcos said during an ambush interview in Sulu. “That was the reason we did it so our graduates would be employable.”
“However, if we look at the results, their employability did not improve. So we have to explore other options. We are examining mini-courses lasting three to six months or one-year short courses for specific skills,” he added.
Background and Issues
Angara, one of the authors of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which established the K to 12 program, will assume the role of Education Secretary following Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation, effective July 19.
The K to 12 program was designed to extend basic education by requiring one year of kindergarten, six years of primary school, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. This restructuring aimed to align the Philippines’ educational system with international standards and improve the job readiness of its graduates.
Current Efforts and Future Plans
The Department of Education (DepEd) is currently reviewing the curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 to better prepare students for employment. Angara acknowledged that while the K to 12 program has been institutionalized by law and must be adhered to, there have been implementation challenges that need to be addressed.
In May of last year, DepEd formed a national task force to review the senior high school (SHS) program’s implementation. The task force is tasked with ensuring the program’s policies are consistent, responsive, and relevant to the needs of learners and stakeholders. Additionally, the task force aims to strengthen engagement with the private sector and various industries to improve the employability of SHS graduates.
GMA News Online has sought comments from DepEd regarding President Marcos’ statements but has yet to receive a response.