Teachers' groups welcome K to 12 review, seek reforms
By AJ Siytangco
Published Jul 30, 2018 05:55 pm
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Teachers’ groups expressed mixed reactions following the Department of Education’s (DepEd) move to review K to 12 curriculum and program two years after it was fully implemented.
In a recent press briefing in Malacanang, Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced that the K to 12 curriculum will undergo a thorough review to “keep up with the changing times.”
Logos of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines
(MANILA BULLETIN) While they both welcome the move of DepEd, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines shared their views on the review process. TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas, said that the review, which his group welcomes, should also focus on reforming the curriculum to bring back the sense of nationalism and respect – among others – on the learners. Meanwhile, progressive teachers group ACT Philippines urged the DepEd to review the entire K to 12 program and not just the curriculum. Patriotism… “We need to reform the curriculum to instill patriotism, respect for justice, human rights and rule of law,” Basas said. “We have to design our public education system to produce children and citizens who recognize national identity and are proud of their patrimony,” the public school teacher from Caloocan City added. To be able to achieve this, TDC urged the DepEd to immediately enforce the teaching of Philippine History in secondary curriculum. In an earlier statement, Basas noted said that since 2014 – during the second year of implementation of the K to 12 program, the DepEd “removed the teaching of Philippine History in secondary schools” as stated under DepEd Order No. 20, s. 2014. He noted that the “Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas” – which was previously taught in first year high school or grade seven – was slashed in favor of “Araling Asyano.” TDC also noted that conformity to “world standard” should not mean that the “Philippine education will just cater to the policies under the global economic system where the cost of labor becomes cheaper and the national identity becomes unnecessary.” Worse? ACT called on DepEd and Congress, to do “an honest evaluation of the whole K to 12 program and see that it is better abandoned altogether than be maintained or reformed.” ACT Philippines Secretary General Raymond Basilio said that the K to 12 has “worsened the problems of our education system in all aspects.” The group agreed that the current K to 12 curriculum needs a review because it is “problematic.” “Not only does it serve capitalist interest, it also promotes an even more colonial education,” Basilio said. “For one, Philippine History is no longer taught in high school. It also affected the reduction of required Filipino and social science subjects in the tertiary level,” Basilio added.
Logos of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines(MANILA BULLETIN) While they both welcome the move of DepEd, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines shared their views on the review process. TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas, said that the review, which his group welcomes, should also focus on reforming the curriculum to bring back the sense of nationalism and respect – among others – on the learners. Meanwhile, progressive teachers group ACT Philippines urged the DepEd to review the entire K to 12 program and not just the curriculum. Patriotism… “We need to reform the curriculum to instill patriotism, respect for justice, human rights and rule of law,” Basas said. “We have to design our public education system to produce children and citizens who recognize national identity and are proud of their patrimony,” the public school teacher from Caloocan City added. To be able to achieve this, TDC urged the DepEd to immediately enforce the teaching of Philippine History in secondary curriculum. In an earlier statement, Basas noted said that since 2014 – during the second year of implementation of the K to 12 program, the DepEd “removed the teaching of Philippine History in secondary schools” as stated under DepEd Order No. 20, s. 2014. He noted that the “Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas” – which was previously taught in first year high school or grade seven – was slashed in favor of “Araling Asyano.” TDC also noted that conformity to “world standard” should not mean that the “Philippine education will just cater to the policies under the global economic system where the cost of labor becomes cheaper and the national identity becomes unnecessary.” Worse? ACT called on DepEd and Congress, to do “an honest evaluation of the whole K to 12 program and see that it is better abandoned altogether than be maintained or reformed.” ACT Philippines Secretary General Raymond Basilio said that the K to 12 has “worsened the problems of our education system in all aspects.” The group agreed that the current K to 12 curriculum needs a review because it is “problematic.” “Not only does it serve capitalist interest, it also promotes an even more colonial education,” Basilio said. “For one, Philippine History is no longer taught in high school. It also affected the reduction of required Filipino and social science subjects in the tertiary level,” Basilio added.