In order to solve the issue of competencies, be at par with the world’s education standards and at the same time respond to the demand of foreign companies outsourcing in the Philippines, the Department of Education is set to implement the K+12 basic education program starting next year 2012-2013 with the Department starting on converting first year high school to Grade 7.
The K+12 basic education plan consists of kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (Grade 7 to 10), and two years of senior high school.
“In 2012, we will begin using the new curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 (first year of junior high school),” Luistro said in a forum at the Heritage Hotel the other day. “The curriculum is almost complete for these two levels and we will soon begin preparing our teachers.”
Luistro also added that after these initial processes, the department will continue working with other building blocks for the program including Curriculum Transition Management, Financial Resources, Legal Framework. The department will also address how to further strengthen the competencies of students in English, Math, and Science.
This K+12 program was initiated by the Department of Education, under the Aquino Administration to address the fact the Philippines is the other country aside from Myanmar that still implements a 10-year basic education system.
The program aims to solve reservation of foreign employers on hiring Filipino professionals especially for offshore staffing and outsourcing jobs.