The Department of Education (DepEd), headed by Vice President Sara Duterte, plans to present its Basic Education Report 2023 (BER) to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Jan. 30 to give an overview of the present state of the country’s basic education, as well as plans and initiatives of the agency.
The department will likewise update the Chief Executive on the ongoing comprehensive review of the country’s K-12 program.
“The BER 2023 aims to present the state of basic education in the country, and the plans and initiatives of the Department to fulfill its mandate,” a statement from DepEd said.
“The Department intends to provide a broad report about the basic education sector which will include updates on the on-going review of the K to 12 curriculum. The BER will also launch the education agenda and the new call to action for all Filipinos,” it added.
Undersecretary for Media Accreditation and Relations Greggy Eugenio clarified an earlier statement from Malacañang, which said that DepEd would present its revised K-12 program.
“Yung (The) statement ng (of) DepEd is to clarify na hindi (it’s not the) revised K-12 program ang ipi-present sa (that would be presented on) Jan. 30 kundi ang (but the) Basic Education Report,” the official said.
DepEd’s statement came after Malacañang also on Tuesday, Jan. 10, claimed that the agency plans to present a revised K-12 curriculum.
Press briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez made the announcement after the Cabinet meeting presided by the President.
“Moving on to the Department of Education, the Secretary VP Inday Sara Duterte presented the plans for inclusive learning, support for teachers, improving the curriculum,” she said.
The former TV host added that “The DepEd will be presenting a revised K to 12 curriculum for basic ed(ucation) on January 30th. The theme of DepEd is Bansang Makabata at Batang Makabansa (A country for the youth and patriotic youth).”
Duterte earlier reported that the Chief Executive had given DepEd until the next school year to finish the comprehensive review and submit its final recommendations on the country’s K-12 program.
She had asked permission to adopt the Duterte administration’s Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP), which was also spearheaded by former education chief Leonor Briones.
One of the tasks of the BEDP is to review the K-12 program.
“Secretary Briones already conducted, initiated the review of Kinder to Grade 10 and they are about to finish and wrap up and make their report on the review of Kinder to Grade 10. My administration will start the review on Grades 11 to 12,” the Vice President earlier stated.
The K-12 program, passed during the Aquino administration, aimed to make Filipinos more globally competitive through an allegedly enhanced curriculum that would’ve made them master skills and concepts.
However, educators and parents have continually called for a review of the program because of the added burden of sending kids to school an extra two years to finish high school and the unreadiness of school facilities and educators’ capabilities in shouldering the immense work of the program.