Thesis

Historical Background
As early as 1925, studies have observed the inadequacy of the basic education curriculum. As one of the most well studied reforms, recommendations of either adding or restoring 7th grade or adding an extra year to basic education have been put forward.
a) Monroe Survey (1925): Secondary education did not prepare for life and recommended training in agriculture, commerce, and industry.
b) Prosser Survey (1930): Recommended to improve phases of vocational education such as 7th grade shopwork, provincial schools, practical arts training in the regular high schools, home economics, placement work, gardening, and agricultural education.
c) UNESCO Mission Survey (1949): Recommended the restoration of Grade 7.
d) Education Act of 1953: Under Section 3, mandates that “the primary course shall be composed of four grades (Grades I to IV) and the intermediate course of three grades (Grade V to VII).”
e) Swanson Survey (1960): Recommended the restoration of Grade 7
f) Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education (PCSPE) (1970): High priority be given to the implementation of an 11-year program; Recommended program consists of 6 years of compulsory elementary education and 5 years of secondary education
g) Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) Report (1991): If one year is to be added in the education program, it recommends one of two alternatives: Seven years of elementary education or Five years of secondary education
h) Presidential Commission on Educational Reforms (2000): Reform proposals include the establishment of a one-year pre-baccalaureate system that would also bring the Philippines at par with other countries
i) Presidential Task Force on Education (2008): In discussions on a 12-year pre-university program, it is important “to specify the content of the 11th and 12th years and benchmark these with programs abroad.”
Education 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. A Vision Grounded on Human Development: 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.
A Vision Achieved through an Enhanced Curriculum: Every graduate of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program will benefit from a reformed and updated curriculum that is focused on enabling every child to achieve mastery of core competencies and skills.
A Vision that has Socio-Economic Relevance: Every graduate of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program is ready to take his or her place as a productive member of society. They are equipped to take on every opportunity in life he or she chooses—to find work, to engage in higher studies, or to start an entrepreneurial endeavor. This vision is consistent with the definition of an educated Filipino as conceived in the Philippine Constitution and the World Declaration on Education for All.
What is 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. Secondary education refers to high school.

After considering various proposals and studies, 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.

Features of K 6-4-2
(1) Kindergarten and 12 years of quality basic education is a right of every Filipino, therefore they must be and will be provided by government and will be free.
(2) Those who go through the 12 years cycle will get an elementary diploma (6 years), a junior high school diploma (4 years), and a senior high school diploma (2 years).

(3) 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). * An open and consultative process will be adopted in the development and implementation of K+12. * Change is two-fold: (a) curriculum enhancement and (b) transition management.
What is Senior High School? * 2 years of in-depth specialization for students depending on the occupation/career track they wish to pursue * Skills and competencies relevant to the job market * The 2 years of senior HS 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.

Phases of Implementation:
(1) Universal kindergarten will be offered starting SY 2011-2012.
(2) DepEd will begin unclogging the basic education curriculum in SY 2012-2013.
(3) The enhanced 12-year curriculum will be implemented starting with incoming Grade 1 students of SY 2012-2013.
(4) Incoming freshmen of SY 2012-2013 will be the first beneficiary of a free Senior High School education that will be made available by DepEd in public schools beginning SY 2016-2017. Electives to be offered in Senior HS (arts, music, tech-voch..etc)
In implementing the K-6-4-2 proposal, DepEd will take into account the issues and concerns of all stakeholders, including the high school graduates before 2016. This will be done through regional consultations to begin early 2011. The mechanics and other details of the transition plan will be threshed out with HEIs in coordination with CHED, TESDA and other critical stakeholders.

Goals
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. The program will enhance the basic education system to full functionality to fulfill the basic learning needs of students. This is in line with the agenda of the President Aquino of having quality education as a long-term solution to poverty. In order to achieve these goals, the program has the following twin-objectives:
a) To give every student an opportunity to receive quality education based on an enhanced and decongested curriculum that is internationally recognized and comparable
• Develop a curriculum that is rational and focused on excellence (decongested, uses research-based practices, uses quality materials and textbooks, etc.)
• Produce a pool of highly qualified and adequately trained teachers.
• Achieve high academic standards, especially in Mathematics, Science, and English at all levels
• Produce graduates who are globally competitive and whose credentials are recognized internationally
b) 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
• Produce graduates who possess skills and competencies that will allow them to be productive members of society or pursue higher education.
• Through coordination between the academic and business sectors, to change industry hiring practices taking into account the enhanced skills and competencies of K+12 graduates.
Benefits of K+12
The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program will be instrumental in achieving the nation’s vision of a high school graduate. The benefits of the K+12 proposal far outweigh the additional costs that will be incurred by both government and families.
To Individuals and Families: * An enhanced curriculum will decongest academic workload, giving students more time to master competencies and skills as well as time for other learning opportunities beyond the classroom, thus allowing for a more holistic development. * Graduates will possess competencies and skills relevant to the job market. The K+12 proposal will be designed to adjust and meet the fast-changing demands of society to prepare graduates with skills essential for the world of work. * Graduates will be prepared for higher education. Due to an enhanced curriculum that will provide relevant content and attuned with the changing needs of the times, basic education will ensure sufficient mastery of core subjects to its graduates such that graduates may opt to pursue higher education if they choose to. * Graduates will be able to earn higher wages and/or better prepared to start their own business. There is a strong correlation between educational attainment and wage structure and studies specific to the Philippine setting show that an additional year of schooling increases earnings by 7.5%. This should also allow greater access to higher education for self-supporting students. * Graduates could now be recognized abroad. Filipino graduates, e.g. engineers, architects, doctors, etc., could now be recognized as professionals in other countries. Those who intend to study abroad will meet the entrance requirements of foreign schools.
For the Society and the Economy * The economy will experience accelerated growth in the long run. The objective of the K+12 program is to improve quality of basic education. Several studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education will increase GDP growth by as much as 2%. Studies in the UK, India and US show that additional years of schooling also have positive overall impact on society. * The Philippine education system will be at par with international standards. K+12 will facilitate mutual recognition of Filipino graduates and professionals following the Washington Accord and the Bologna Accord. * A better educated society provides a sound foundation for long-term socioeconomic development. The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education system will contribute to the development of emotionally and intellectually mature individuals capable of pursuing productive employment or entrepreneurship or higher education disciplines.

Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/K12new.pdf