Deped Employees orient for K+12 Basic Education

A May 9, 2011 press release by the Department of Education

Employees from different Department of Education Central offices took part in the orientation program on the features of K+12 basic education reform program where key issues were raised on matters that affect them as employees and as parents.

A total of 93 employees from different DepEd Central offices took part in the morning session of the orientation while 78 were present in the afternoon. Employees from various DepEd offices were divided into two sessions so as not to disrupt the operation of their respective offices.

The K to 12 program involves Kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. The program will be designed to adjust and meet the fast-changing demands of society by providing graduates with essential skills for the world of work, college education or for the global arena.

“We need to add two more years to our basic education curriculum so as to uplift the country’s standard of education. The program will help the country to cope up with the fast pace of globalization,” said Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Alberto Muyot.

An audio-visual presentation about the K to 12 program kicked off the orientation. This was followed by an open forum where employees asked questions and offered suggestions about the program implementation.

Some of the issues raised were: (1) will there be a new curriculum for elementary and high school students (2) how to address lack of classrooms and instructional materials, and (3) doubts on the unification of DepEd, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for a continuous program.

Usec. Muyot, Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Yolanda Quijano, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Lino Rivera, and Assistant Secretary for Planning and Development Jesus Lorenzo Mateo served as resource speakers. They provided further information and also answered questions from the participants.

The 12-year education cycle is part of the 10-point Education Agenda of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The orientation was conducted in line with the implementation of the universal kindergarten program starting this school year which is an essential part of K to 12.