MANILA, PIA – The Cabinet cluster on education is currently addressing concerns before the K-to-12 program is fully implemented in the academic year 2016-2017, a Palace official said on Sunday.
“Since the effectivity of the law and the Implementing Rules and Regulations, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) have conducted consultations with various stakeholders from private and public schools so that there will be a clear understanding of the K-to-12 Program and to ensure a smooth and proper transition by school year 2016 from the current school program,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.,said in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan,.
He added that government is encouraging all stakeholders to have a dialogue with the Cabinet cluster on education to discuss their concerns.
The Cabinet cluster on education is composed of the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
According to reports, many college teachers and non-teaching personal will be affected by the K-to-12 program once is fully implemented.
“The estimated numbers have since gone down to around 8,000 during the first year of implementation on June 2016. DepEd will be hiring around 30,000 and we will be prepared to prioritize those who choose to apply to our senior high school program,” said Coloma.
He added that many private higher education institutions are already preparing and have requested DepEd for a permit to open a secondary high school that could further bring down the number of affected faculty.
“There is also a proposal from CHED for a stabilization fund which could be tapped by private higher education institutions during the transition,” Coloma added.
Under the K-to-12 program, graduating fourth year students will undergo an additional two more years in the “senior high school” instead of proceeding to college.
“Kaya para mapunan ‘yung gap na ‘yon, ang nakikitang alternatibo ay ang pagtatatag ng isang senior high school at doon pwedeng magturo ang mga dating nagtuturo sa first two years ng college habang ipinapatupad ang transition na ito,” said Coloma.
The implementation of the K-to-12 Program aims at enhancing the competitiveness of the Filipino in the global economy. This became national policy upon the enactment of Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. (PCOO/PND (ag)
