Discussion paper on the

ENHANCED K-12
BASIC EDUCATION
PROGRAM
“We need to add two years to our basic
education. Those who can afford pay
up to fourteen years of schooling
before university. Thus, their children
are getting into the best universities
and the best jobs after graduation. I
want at least 12 years for our public
school children to give them an even
chance at succeeding.”
– President Benigno S. Aquino
III
Enhanced K+12

RATIONALE
RATIONALE

1. Enhancing the quality

of basic education in the
Philippines is urgent and
critical.
THUS, WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A
PROPOSAL TO ENHANCE OUR BASIC
EDUCATION PROGRAM IN A MANNER
THAT IS:
least disruptive to the current
curriculum.
most affordable to government
and families.
aligned with international
practice.
RATIONALE

2. The poor quality of

basic education is
reflected in the low
achievement scores of
Filipino students.
 MANY STUDENTS WHO FINISH
BASIC EDUCATION DO NOT
POSSESS
SUFFICIENT MASTERY OF BASIC
COMPETENCIES

One of the reason is that

students do not get
adequate instructional
time or time on task.
NAT for Grade 6 in SY
2009-10 passing rate in
only 69.21%
Although this is already a 24%
improvement over the SY 2005-
2006 passing rate, further
reforms are needed to achieve
substantial improvement.
NAT for high school is
46.38% in SY 2009-2010,

a slight decrease from

47.40% in SY 2008-
2009.
RATIONALE
3. International tests results like 2003 TIMSS
(Trends in International Mathematic sand
Science Study) rank the Philippines
34th out of 38 countries in HS II Math and
43rd out of 46 countries in HS II Science;
for grade 4, the Philippines ranked 23rd out
of 25 participating countries in both Math
and Science.
In 2008, even with only the
science high schools
participating in the Advanced
Mathematics category, the
Philippines was ranked lowest
(Table 1).
RATIONALE

4. The congested
curriculum partly
explains the present
state of education.
 The current basic
education is designed to
teach a 12-year
curriculum, yet it is
delivered in just 10 years.
RATIONALE

5. This quality of education is

reflected in the inadequate
preparation of high school
graduates for the world of
work or entrepreneurship or
higher education.
While the availability of economic
opportunities contributes to this, it also
illustrates the mismatch in the labor
and education markets. The World
Bank Philippines Skills Report in 2009
reveals, based on a survey of
employers, serious gaps in critical skills
of graduates such as problem-
solving, initiative and creativity,
and, to a lesser extent, gaps in job
specific technical skills.
RATIONALE

6. Further, most
graduates are too
young to enter the
labor force.
This implies that those who do
not pursue higher education
would be:
unproductive or
be vulnerable to exploitative
labor practices.
Those who may be interested to
set up business cannot legally
enter into contracts.
RATIONALE
7. The current system also
reinforces the
misperception that basic
education is just a
preparatory step for higher
education.
For most parents, basic education
is usually seen as a preparation
for college education.

Even this misperception falls

short of expectations as most
students usually have to take
remedial and high school level
classes in colleges and
universities.
RATIONALE
8. The short duration of the basic
education program also puts the
millions of overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs), especially the
professionals, and those who
intend to study abroad at a
disadvantage.
Our graduates are not
automatically
recognized as
professional abroad.
Philippines,
Only
Country in
ASIA with
10-year
Basic
Education
Program.
The Washington Accord iv

prescribes 12- years basic

education as an entry to
recognition of engineering
professionals.
The Bologna Accord requires 12
v

years of education for university

admission and practice of
profession in European countries.
RATIONALE

9. More importantly, the

short basic education
program affects the
human development of
the Filipino children.
A Filipino is legally a child before
he or she turns 18 years old.

Psychologists and educators say

that children under 18 are
generally not emotionally
prepared for entrepreneurship or
employment or higher education
disciplines.
RATIONALE

10. Cognizant of this urgent and

critical concern and in line with
the priorities of the Aquino
Administration, the Department
of Education is taking bold steps
to enhance the basic education
curriculum.
Hand in hand with vigorous
efforts to address the input
shortages, DepEd intends to
raise the quality of basic
education through the
enhancement of the
curriculum and the expansion
of the basic education cycle.
RATIONALE
11. The Enhanced K+12
Basic Education Program
seeks to provide for a
quality 12- year basic
education program that
each Filipino is entitled to.
This is consistent with Article XIV,
Section 2(1) of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution which states that
“The State shall establish,
maintain, and support a
complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education
relevant to the needs of the people
and society.”
RATIONALE
12. K+12 means
Kindergarten and the
12 years of
elementary and
secondary education.
Enhanced K+12

HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
13. As early as 1925,
studies have observed
the inadequacy of the
basic education
curriculum.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
A. Monroe Survey (1925):
Secondary education did
not prepare for life and
recommended training in
agriculture, commerce,
and industry.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
B. Prosser Survey (1930):
Recommended to improve phases
vocational education such as 7th
grade shopwork, provincial schools,
practical arts training in the regular
high schools, home economics,
placement work, gardening, and
agricultural education.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

C. UNESCO Mission
Survey (1949):
Recommended the
restoration of Grade 7.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
D. Education Act of 1953:
Under Section 3, mandates that
“[t]he primary course shall be
composed of four grades (Grades
I to IV) and the intermediate
course of three grades (Grade V
to VII).”
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

E. Swanson Survey (1960):

Recommended the
restoration of Grade 7.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

F. Presidential Commission to
Survey Philippine Education
(PCSPE)(1970):
High priority be given to
the implementation of an
11-year program
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

G. Congressional
Commission on Education
(EDCOM) Report (1991):
Recommends : Seven years of
elementary education or Five
years of secondary education.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

H. Presidential Commission on
Educational Reforms (2000):
Reform proposals include the
establishment of a one-year pre-
baccalaureate system that would also
bring the Philippines at par with other
countries.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
I. Presidential Task Force on
Education (2008):
In discussions on a 12-year pre-
university program, it is important
“to specify the content of the 11th
and 12th years and benchmark
these with programs abroad.”
 Enhanced K+12

EDUCATION VISION
EDUCATION VISION
14. Every graduate of the Enhanced
K+12 Basic Education Program is an
empowered individual who has
learned, through a program that is
rooted on sound educational principles
and geared towards excellence, the
foundations for learning throughout
life, the competence
to engage in work and be
productive, the ability to coexist in
fruitful harmony with local and
global communities, the capability
to engage in autonomous critical
thinking, and the capacity to
transform others and one’s self.
 EDUCATION VISION
15. A Vision Grounded on
Human Development:
The complete human
development of every graduate
is at the core of the Enhanced
K+12 Basic Education Program
EDUCATION VISION
16. The graduate also has
the courage, the drive, and
the relevant skills to
engage in work and have a
productive life.
EDUCATION VISION
17. Every graduate will be able
to think for himself/herself and
make sound decisions on the
best courses of action to take
in the different circumstances
of his or her life.
EDUCATION VISION

18. Every graduate is

inculcated with the respect for
human rights and values,
notably, Maka-Diyos, Maka-
tao, Makabansa, and
Maka-Kalikasan.
EDUCATION VISION
19. A Vision Achieved through
an Enhanced Curriculum:
Every graduate of the Enhanced K+12
Basic Education Program will benefit
from a reformed and updated curriculum
that is focused on enabling every child to
achieve mastery of core competencies
and skills.
EDUCATION VISION

20. A Vision that has

Socio-Economic
Relevance: Every graduate of
the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education
Program is ready to take his or her
place as a productive member of
society.
EDUCATION VISION
21. This vision is consistent
with the definition of an
educated Filipino as conceived
in the Philippine Constitution
and the World Declaration on
Education for All.
Enhanced K+12

GOAL
GOAL
22. The goal of the Enhanced K+12
Basic Education Program is to create
a functional basic education system
that will produce productive and
responsible citizens equipped with
the essential competencies and skills
for both life-long learning and
employment.
GOAL
In order to achieve these goals, the
program has the following twin-
objectives:

A.)To give every student an opportunity

to receive quality education based on an
enhanced and decongested curriculum
that is internationally recognized and
comparable.
• Develop a curriculum that is rational

and focused on excellence

• Produce a pool of highly qualified
and adequately trained teachers.
• Achieve high academic standards,
especially in Mathematics, Science,
and English at all levels
• Produce graduates who are globally
GOAL
B.) To change public perception that
high school education is just a
preparation for college; rather, it
should allow one to take advantage of
opportunities for gainful career or
employment and/or self-employment
in a rapidly changing and increasingly
globalized environment.
Enhanced K+12

BENEFITS
BENEFITS
23. The Enhanced K+12 Basic
Education Program will be
instrumental in achieving
the nation’s vision of a high school
graduate. The benefits of the K+12
proposal far outweigh the additional
costs that will be incurred by both
government and families.
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
24. An enhanced curriculum will
decongest academic workload,
giving students more time to master
competencies and skills as well as
time for other learning opportunities
beyond the classroom, thus allowing
for a more holistic development.
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
25. Graduates will possess
competencies and skills
relevant to the job market.
The K+12 proposal will be designed to
adjust and meet the fast-changing
demands of society to prepare
graduates with skills essential for the
world of work.
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
26. Graduates will be prepared
for higher education.
Basic education will ensure
sufficient mastery of core subjects
to its graduates such that
graduates may opt to pursue
higher education if they choose to.
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
27. Graduates will be able to earn
higher wages and/or better
prepared to start their own
business. There is a strong correlation
between educational attainment and wage
structure and studies specific to the
Philippine setting show that an additional
year of schooling increases earnings by
7.5%.
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

28. Graduates could now

be recognized abroad.
Filipino graduates, e.g.
engineers, architects, doctors, etc.,
could now be recognized as
professionals in other countries.
BENEFITS FOR THE SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY
29. The economy will
experience accelerated growth
in the long run.
Several studies have shown that
the improvements in the quality of
education will increase GDP
growth by as much as 2%.
BENEFITS FOR THE SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY
30. The Philippine education
system will be at par with
international standards.
K+12 will facilitate mutual recognition
of Filipino graduates and professionals
following the Washington Accord and
the Bologna Accord.
BENEFITS FOR THE SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY

31. A better educated

society provides a sound
foundation for long-term
socio-economic
development.
BENEFITS FOR THE SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY
31. The Enhanced K+12 Basic
Education system will contribute to
the development of emotionally and
intellectually mature individuals
capable of pursuing productive
employment or entrepreneurship or
higher education disciplines.
Enhanced K+12

K+12 BASIC
EDUCATION
MODEL
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

32. After considering

various proposals and
studies, the model that is
currently being proposed by
DepEd is the K-6-4-2
Model.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

This model involves:

Kindergarten
6 years of elementary
4 years of junior high school
(Grades 7 to 10)
2 years of senior high school
(Grades 11 to 12).
33. The Figure 1

illustrates
the K-6-4-
model.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

34. Kindergarten and 12 years

of quality basic education is a
right of every Filipino,
therefore these should be
provided by government for
free in public schools.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

Those who go through the 12-

year program will get:

an elementary diploma (6 yrs)

a junior high school diploma (4 yrs)

a senior high school diploma (2yrs)

K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL
A full 12 years of basic
education will eventually be
required for entry into tertiary
level education (entering
freshmen by SY 2018-2019 or
seven years from now).
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

35. Figure 2 shows the

K-6-4-2 implementation
plan.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL
36 . The implementation of the
K+12 program will be phased.

Starting SY 2011-2012 the Universal

kindergarten will be offered.
By SY 2012-2013, the new curriculum will be
offered to incoming Grade 1 as well as to
incoming junior high school students.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

The target of DepEd is to put

in place the necessary
infrastructure and other
necessary arrangements
needed to provide Senior High
School (SHS) education by SY
2016-2017.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL
37 . The SHS curriculum (which assumes
already an unclogged basic education
curriculum) will offer areas of
specialization or electives such as
science and technology, music and
arts, agriculture and fisheries,
sports, business and
entrepreneurship, etc., and subjects
for advanced placement.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

38. In implementing the K-6-4-

2 proposal, DepEd will take
into account the issues and
concerns of all stakeholders,
including the high school
graduates before 2016.
K+12 BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

The mechanics and other

details of the transition plan
will be threshed out with HEIs
in coordination with CHED,
TESDA and other critical
stakeholders.
 GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
GUIDING PRINCIPLE

39. The enhancement

of the curriculum is
the central focus of
the Enhanced K+12
Basic Education
Program.
Expected Outcome:

 Enhanced and Reviewed

the curriculum to
meet the desired skills and
competencies of a K+12
graduate.
 GUIDING PRINCIPLE

40. The development of

tracks based on
different competencies
and / or interest will be
an integral component
of the program.
 Expected Outcome:

 Focus on students’ interest.

 Addressed country’s human
capital
requirements through
competency
tracking system.
 GUIDING PRINCIPLE

41. As part of the bigger

basic education reform, the
enhancement of the basic
education curriculum is
being undertaken hand in
hand with the vigorous
efforts to ensure adequacy
of inputs.
 Expected Outcome:

 Additional years of schooling.

 Addressed shortages on teachers,

classrooms, desks, textbooks
and etc.
 GUIDING PRINCIPLE

42.Change is two-
fold: curriculum
enhancement and
transition
management.
Expected Outcome:

 improved curriculum
 well-planned
implementation,
 smooth transition
with least disruption.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE

43. An open and

consultative process
will be adopted in the
promotion of the
Enhanced K+12 Basic
Education Program.
Expected Outcome:

 « TAO ANG
BOSS »
principle.
 Consulted ALL
 Maraming
Salamat Po!