DepEd Chief Hopes K-12 Program Continues Under New Admin

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro has expressed his hope that the incoming administration will continue the K to 12 program.

The Education chief also noted that a one-month period of transition is necessary to aid a smooth transfer of power to new DepEd officials, especially as the Philippine education system undergoes a major overhaul with the nationwide rollout of Senior High School (SHS) this coming school year 2016-2017.

“I hope that we will have a period of turnovers and transitions… Hopefully, the transition will start once the new cabinet is proclaimed,” Luistro told reporters after a press briefing on Tuesday, stressing that this period is critical in bequeathing reforms to the next executive team.

Luistro, along with presidential appointees, will be stepping down on June 30 with President Benigno Aquino III.

He however assured that school principals and superintendents are tasked to take the lead role in implementing SHS and make necessary adjustments in order to ensure efficient school operations.

“DepEd proved that great and major reforms are possible if everyone works together,” said Luistro.

The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

The Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of only three countries worldwide with a 10-year pre-university cycle (Angola and Djibouti are the other two). (PNA) RMA/FMC