House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chaired by Pasig lone district Rep. Roman Romulo has approved the proposed "K+10+2" education program, which is designed to replace the existing K to 12 program. 

Passed during a committee hearing Wednesday, Oct. 18 was an unnumbered substitute bill seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) No.10533, also known as “An act enhancing the Philippine basic education system by strengthening its curriculum and increasing the number of years for basic education, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes”. 

Introduced by late former president Benigno Aquino III, the K to 12 program added two years to basic education, that is, Grades 11 and 12 of Senior High School (SHS). 

RA No.10533 sought to prepare students to become globally competitive, ready for college education, and to be easily employable. However, some sectors have claimed that these objectives haven't been fulfilled. 

Benjo Basas of Teachers’ Dignity Coalition said, “Lahat ng pangako nitong K to 12, itong three promises… unfortunately, ‘di po nakuha yung lahat ng ito.” 

(All the promises of this K to 12, these three promises... unfortunately, we didn't get all of them.) 

“We have been suffering from this K to 12 implementation for more than a decade,” he added. 

Penned by House Deputy Speaker and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the mother bill, House Bill (HB) No. 7893, would change the basic education structure for the first time since 2013. 

"This bill seeks to replace the present K to 12 education program in the country covering Kindergarten and 12 years of education with a K+10 +2 program covering compulsory Kindergarten and 10 years of basic education with, for those seeking to proceed to professional degree studies such as accounting, engineering, law, medicine, an additional two years of post-secondary, pre-university education," the explanatory note of the bill stated. 

As such, if a student wants to expand their education, Grades 11 and 12 will only then be required. 

"If they want to go on to a professional education, that is when they can prepare themselves by having two years of post-secondary or pre-university education after high school to enhance their chances of succeeding in college or university and onward to professional licensure," Arroyo, the Pampanga 2nd district representative, said. 

Romulo, meanwhile, noted that with the 3.8 million enrolled students for SHS, approximately 30 to 60 percent are under Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) tracks. 

The proposed K+10+2 scheme would give students the option to have an early transition into the TVL tracks under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

During Wednesday's hearing, many comcerns were raised about the consequences of changing the basic education structure, such as the possible displacements of SHS instructors. 

Romulo said that the bill will still be refined to further strengthen its provisions. --Dexter Barro II