K-12 Curriculum

A Write-up
Presented to
MS. MARIE KRIS H. ENOC
Department of Education
College of Education
Mindanao State University - Buug Campus
Datu Panas, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
CITE 2S (Contemporary Issues and Trends in Secondary Education)
2nd Semester, A.Y. 2014-2015

by

FARHAN D. DACULA

January 2015

K-12 Curriculum
Prior to the implementation of the K-12 curriculum guide, the Philippines was one of
only three countries in the world and the only one in Asia that still had only 10 years in basic
education. This has always been seen as a disadvantage for our students who are competing in an
increasingly global job market.
The longer educational cycle of the K-12 curriculum is seen as critical in giving Filipino
students a higher quality of education. The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization
Innotech (SEAMEO- Innotech) found the previous 10-year educational cycle to be congested,
with a 12-year curriculum squished into 10 years. As a result, Filipino students have trailed
behind students around the world in the areas of Math, languages and Science. The new
curriculum is aimed to fix that.
The K-12 curriculum is designed to enable graduates to join the work force right after
high school, and suitably prepare those who want to go on to higher education. The new
curriculum will also support college graduates seeking work abroad. Developed countries,
according to the Department of Educations (DepEd) briefer, view the 10-year education cycle
as insufficient.
All in all, the enhanced K-12 curriculum is designed to provide a holistic education for
all. Now decongested, it will give students ample time to master basic academic skills as well as
to participate in co-curricular and community activities.

In 2011, the Department of Education started to implement the new K-12 educational
system, which also included a new curriculum for all schools nationwide. The K-12 program has
a so-called "phased implementation", which started in S.Y 2011-2012.
There are four "phases" during the implementation of the new system. These are:

Phase

I: Laying

the

Foundations. Its

goal

is

to

finally

implement

the

universal kindergarten, and the "development of the (entire) program".

Phase II: Modelling and Migration. Its goal is to promote the enactment of the basic
education law, to finally start of the phased implementation of the new curriculum for Grades
1 to 4 and 7 to 10, and for the modeling of the senior high school.

Phase III: Complete Migration. Its goal is to finally implement the Grades 11 and 12 or
the senior high school, and to signal the end of migration to the new educational system.

Phase IV: Completion of the Reform. Its goal is to complete the implementation of the K12 education system.

Advantages

It will provide time for the student to consolidate acquired academic skills and

competencies.
It will also decongest and enhance basic education curricula, provide quality learning,
and be at equality with other countries in Asia which provide more years for basic
education.

The additional two years in the said program is crucial to come up with a proposal in
enhancing our basic education program in a manner that is least disruptive to the current
curriculum, most affordable to government and families, and aligned with international

practice.
This quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school

graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education.

Its a good opportunity to match the academic levels of other countries.

Comparison of K-12 Curriculum and RBEC