|
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd)’s ambitious Kindergarten to 12 (K+12) basic education curriculum program is getting more support from the public.
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from March 10 to 13 showed that more than half of Filipinos or 65 percent believe that the program will give students more sufficient knowledge and preparation for college and work compared to those who finished only 10 years of basic education.
The March poll result was way above the 59 percent result in June 2011, 63 percent in September 2011, and 57 percent in December 2011.
Respondents who believe in the program rose by 15 percentage points in Metro Manila, from 53 percent to 68 percent; by 12 points in the Visayas, from 49 percent to 61 percent; and by eight points in balance Luzon, from 58 percent to 66 percent.
The same survey revealed that 61 percent believe more students will finish K+12 senior high school because graduates will be better prepared for work, higher education, and business even with the additional cost and number of years in high school.
Moreover, 59 percent believe more students will finish senior high school under the K+12 because it is equivalent to two years of college or post secondary courses at a high school rate.
The SWS survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the results of the survey will further inspire education officials to realize the goals of the K+12 program.
Public school teachers and militant student groups had earlier aired strong opposition to the program.
“I am thankful for the efforts of the pioneers in educational reform who shared our vision as well as the countless champions of parents, teachers and students who helped in our advocacy to explain the long-term benefits of
K+12 which will surely far outweigh the short-term sacrifices,” Luistro said.
“DepEd will continue to work hard to ensure that its (K+12) implementation will be better and less painful for stakeholders in the succeeding years,” he said.
k+12: Is it Needed?
Supporters of K+12 and Department of Education say that K+12 should be implemented for students to gain more knowledge when it comes to job. For them, K+12 helps students to achieve higher education. But, as I have reflected on their statements, I arrived to the question "Is it really needed?". Upon arriving to this question, I have realized that this issue has a great impact on me.
Indeed, K+12 has positive effects such as higher and better education. Even though a person didn't reach college, he/she could still work because his/her knowledge for work is already gained in high school.
Despite of this positive effect, K+12 also has negative effects. First, K+12 is a waste of money because years will be added for school. Students will buy new notebooks, pens and other school supplies in preparation for the additional school years. The money spent for this school years would have been spent for other important things if there's no K+12. Thus, there will be a tendency that people will experience hunger. Second, K+12 is changing the mindset of the students to be employees. Instead of creating a business or being self-employed in the future, students' mindset will focus on being an employee because of K+12. This is evident in the line "more students will finish K+12 senior high school because graduates will be better prepared for work". Thus, it decreases the chance that big companies will be owned by Filipinos, making the foreigners rich and Filipinos to be poor. Third, children with big dreams such as to be a doctor or lawyer will have a hard time achieving it. The additional two years is a waste of time. It is to say that instead of graduating from College of law at the age of 24, a child who experienced K+12 will graduate from College of law at the age of 26. Things that were mentioned above are just examples of many negative effects caused by K+12.
Reflecting on the issue, I say that K+12 should be abolished because of its negative effects. Money and time will be wasted, dreams will be destroyed and mindset will be affected. Because of these, I strongly suggest that instead of implementing K+12, government should buy chairs, books and other things that will improve the schools. This will not waste money and it will make the students to be happy.
To wrap up the whole, I have concluded that K+12 has many negative effects. It affects our economy in a way that people couldn't buy their desired important things because money is spent for K+12. Also, their will be only few businessmen and entrepreneurs compared to employees. Ergo, K+12 is not needed and should be abolished.
- Rizal Thaddeus Acas
INCREDIBLE!
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts are striking. You have pointed out the costs & benefits of the said issue.
The chosen topic is timely & interesting.
I'm glad that you have composed such using your own words.
GRADE: 93%