Enhancing the quality of basic education in our country is
urgent and critical. The poor quality of education is reflected in low
achievement of students in the National Achievement Test and international
test. Our high school graduates are not
adequately prepared to pursue higher education. The 10-year basic education
cycle hinders us the recognition abroad. The Philippines is the only country in
Asia that has 10-year basic education cycle.
Thus, DepEd, in collaboration
with various government and non-government agencies has developed the K to 12
Program which aims to improve basic education in the Philippines. K to 12 means Kindergarten and the 12 years of elementary
and secondary education. Kindergarten refers
to the 5-year old kid who goes n a standardized kinder curriculum. Elementary education refers to primary
schooling that involves 6 years of education (Grades 1-6) while secondary
education refers to 4 years of junior high school Grades 7-10 of HS Year 1-4)
and two years of senior high school (Grades 11-12 or HS 5-6)
Those who go through the 12-year program will get an
elementary diploma (6 years), a junior high school diploma (4 years) and a
senior high school diploma (2 years). A
full 12 years of basic education will eventually be required for the tertiary
level education (entering freshmen)
The purpose is to enhance the quality of basic education and
to produce holistically developed learners with 21 century skills.
