The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program

What is this K+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.  Elementary education refers to primary schooling that involves six or seven years of education; meanwhile secondary education refers to high school (DepEd, 2010).  The main point of the K+12 is not just to add two years of schooling that will somehow add burden to the parents and students but more importantly to enhance the basic education curriculum so as to prepare the individuals for the world of work.

This education program initiative and responsive action has its vision.

                        Every graduate of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program is an empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global communities, the capability to engage in autonomous critical thinking, and the capacity to transform others and one's self (DepEd, 2010).

Furthermore,

The complete human development of every graduate is at the core of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program. Every graduate holds an understanding of the world around and a zest for life-long learning, which addresses every child's basic learning needs, including learning to learn, the acquisition of numeracy, literacies, and scientific and technological knowledge as applied to daily life The graduate also has the courage, the drive, and the relevant skills to engage in work and have a productive life. Every graduate will be able to embark in the modern world prepared to meet challenges. Every graduate will be able to think for himself/herself and make sound decisions on the best courses of action to take in the different circumstances of his or her life. The graduate's autonomous thinking is a product of the capability for comprehension and critical thinking as well as the full development of one's unique personality. Every graduate is inculcated with the respect for human rights and values, notably, Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, Makabansa, and Maka-Kalikasan . This makes every graduate empowered to effect positive changes in his/her life and that of others (DepEd, 2010).

 This is the vision grounded on human development.  This is believed to be achieved through this enhanced curriculum that will provide the benefit to every graduate formed in the mastery of the core competencies and skills. It also assures the opportunity for each individual who equipped with such competencies and skills to be productive in their chosen field specifically on the field of work.

The goal of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program is:

      To create a functional basic education system that will produce productive and responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies and skills for both life-long learning and employment. To give every student an opportunity to receive quality education based on an enhanced and decongested curriculum that is internationally recognized and comparable. To change public perception that high school education is just a preparation for college; rather, it should allow one to take advantage of opportunities for gainful career or employment and/or self-employment in a rapidly changing and increasingly globalized environment (DepEd, 2010).

In connection with the agenda of President Aquino of having quality education as a long-term solution to poverty, the program is intended to implement for such concern. The program will enhance the basic education system to full functionality to fulfill the basic learning needs of students. In order to achieve these goals, the program has to develop a curriculum that is rational and focused on excellence (decongested, uses research-based practices, uses quality materials and textbooks, etc.). Basically, the program should also produce a pool of highly qualified and adequately trained teachers as the direct persons involved in the implementation of this program and of this desired goals. This is also a way to achieve high academic standards, especially in Mathematics, Science, and English at all levels wherein the status level of the subjects are at risk. Furthermore, it guarantees that the system will produce graduates who are globally competitive and whose credentials are recognized internationally. Not only that, but also to produce graduates who possess skills and competencies that will allow them to be productive members of society or pursue higher education. 

The model that is currently being proposed by DepEd is the K-6-4-2 Model. This model involves Kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10) and two years of senior high school (Grades 11 to 12).  The two years of senior high school intend to provide time for students to consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies. The curriculum will allow specializations in science and technology, music and arts, agriculture and fisheries, sports, business and entrepreneurship, etc.

Kindergarten and 12 years of quality basic education is a right of every Filipino, therefore these should be provided by government for free in public schools. 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 entry into tertiary level education (entering freshmen by SY 2018-2019 or seven years from now)(DepEd, 2010).