The Enhanced Basic Education Program of the Philippines which is known as K to 12 Basic Education Program

1. Source: DepEd.Gov.ph

2. LILIAN B. SALAN
Teacher II

3. “We need to add two years to our basic
education. Those who can afford pay up to
fourteen years of schooling before
university. Thus, their children are getting
into the best universities and the best jobs
after graduation. I want at least 12
years for our public school children to give
them an even chance at succeeding.”
– President Benigno S. Aquino III
www.deped.gov.ph

5. Rationale
1. Enhancing the quality of basic
education in the Philippines is
urgent and critical.
2. The poor quality of basic education
is reflected in the low achievement
scores of Filipino students.

6. 3. International tests results like
2003 TIMSS (Trends in
International Mathematics and
Science Study) rank the
Philippines 34th out of 38
countries in HS II Math and 43rd
out of 46 countries in HS II
Science;

7. for grade 4, the Philippines ranked
23rd out of 25 participating
countries in both Math and
Science. In 2008, even with only
the science high schools
participating in the Advanced
Mathematics category, the
Philippines was ranked lowest.

8. Table 1: Philippine Average TIMSS Scores
Scores International Rank Participating
Average Countries
2003 Results
Grade I
Science 332 489 23 25
Mathematics 358 495 23 25
HS II
Science 377 473 43 46
Mathematics 378 466 34 38
2008 Results
Advanced 355 500 10 10
Mathematics
Source: TIMMS, 2003 and 2008

9. 4. The congested curriculum
partly explains the present state
of education. The current basic
education is designed to teach a
12-year curriculum, yet it is
delivered in just 10 years.

10. 5. This quality of
education is reflected in
the inadequate
preparation of high
school graduates for the
world of work or
entrepreneurship or
higher education.

11. 6. Further, most graduates are too
young to enter the labor force. This
implies that those who do not pursue
higher education would be unproductive
or be vulnerable to exploitative labor
practices. Those who may be interested
to set up business cannot legally enter
into contracts.

12. Table 2 Unemployment Statistics in the
Philippines, 2010
Proportion
Description Total
Unemployed
15-24 years old 51.5%
80.6%
25-34 years old 29.1%
High School
33.1%
Graduates
College
19.3% 70.9%
Undergraduates
College
18.5%
Graduates
Source: NSO, LFS 2010

13. 7. The current system also
reinforces the misperception
that basic education is just a
preparatory step for higher
education.

14. 8. The short duration of the
basic education program also
puts the millions of overseas
Filipino workers
(OFWs), especially the
professionals, and those who
intend to study abroad at a
disadvantage (Table 3). Our
graduates are not automatically
recognized as professionals
abroad.

15. Table 3 Comparative Data on the Pre-University Education in Asia
Country Basic Education Cycle Total
Brunei 12
Cambodia 12
Indonesia 12
Lao PDR 12
Malaysia 12
Myanmar 11
Philippine 10
Singapore 11
Thailand 12
Timor-Leste 12
Vietnam 12
Mongolia recently added grades to make basic education 12 years.
Source: Adapted from SEAMEO INNOTECH

16. 9. More importantly, the short basic
education program affects the
human development of the Filipino
children. A Filipino is legally a child
before he or she turns 18 years old.

17. A Filipino is legally a child before he or she
turns 18 years old. Psychologists and
educators say that children under 18 are
generally not emotionally prepared for
entrepreneurship or employment or
higher education disciplines.

18. 10. Cognizant of this urgent and critical
concern and in line with the priorities
of the Aquino Administration, the
Department of Education is taking bold
steps to enhance the basic education
curriculum.

19. 11. The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education
Program seeks to provide for a quality
12-year basic education program that
each Filipino is entitled to. This is
consistent with Article XIV, Section 2(1)
of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
which states that…

20. “The State shall establish, maintain, and
support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relevant
to the needs of the people and society.”

21. 12. K+12 means Kindergarten and the
12 years of elementary and
secondary education.
Kindergarten refers to the 5-year
old cohort that takes a
standardized kinder curriculum.

22. Elementary education refers to primary
schooling that involves six or seven years of
education; meanwhile secondary education
refers to high school. Under the K+12, the
intention is not just to add two years of
schooling but more importantly to enhance
the basic education curriculum.