Members of the House Committees on Basic Education and Culture and on Higher and Technical Education have agreed to discuss the proposal of former President and incumbent Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to replace the K to 12 program.
Arroyo’s House Bill 7893 seeks to establish the “K + 10 + 2,” where the last two years will not be vocational-technical education (voc-tech) but will be preparatory to the university education similar to the foundation of college courses in Europe.
The former President said she filed the bill in consultation with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte and with the knowledge of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“This bill seeks to replace the present K to 12 education program in the country covering Kindergarten and 12 years of education with a K + 10 + 2 program covering compulsory Kindergarten and 10 years of basic education with, for those seeking to proceed to professional degree studies such as accounting, engineering, law, medicine, an additional two years of post-secondary, pre-university education,” the explanatory note of the bill read.
Arroyo explained that Grades 11 and 12 were added to the basic education program on the assumption that with the two additional years, senior high school (SHS) graduates will be prepared to get a job.
“Unfortunately, the reality of the market seems to be that the private sector continues to prefer hiring college or university graduates over those who finish the K-to-12 program,” Arroyo stressed.
Arroyo also cited a 2020 study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) that only one in five senior high school graduates enter the labor force, with the rest opting to continue with their education.
The proposal will amend Republic Act 10533 where it will be stressed that the enhanced basic education program encompasses at least one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary education, and four years of secondary education. There shall be an additional two years of post-secondary/pre-university education as preparation for professional degree studies.
