Government Addressing Concerns Pending the Implementation of K-to12 Program

The Cabinet cluster on education is currently addressing concerns before the K-to-12 program is implemented in the academic year 2016-2017, a Palace official said on Sunday.

In a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said the government is encouraging all stakeholders to have a dialogue with the Cabinet cluster on education to discuss their concerns.

The Cabinet cluster on education is composed of the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education Skills Development Authority.

According to reports, many college teachers and non-teaching personal will be affected by the K-to-12 program once implemented.

“The estimated numbers have since gone down to around 8,000 during the first year of implementation on June 2016. DepEd will be hiring around 30,000 and we will be prepared to prioritize those who choose to apply to our senior high school program,” said Coloma.

He added that many private higher education institutions are already preparing and have requested DepEd for a permit to open a secondary high school that could further bring down the number of affected faculty.

“There is also a proposal from CHED for a stabilization fund which could be tapped by private higher education institutions during the transition,” Coloma added.

Under the K-to-12 program, graduating fourth year students will undergo an additional two more years in the “senior high school” instead of proceeding to college.

“Kaya para mapunan ‘yung gap na ‘yon, ang nakikitang alternatibo ay ang pagtatatag ng isang senior high school at doon pwedeng magturo ang mga dating nagtuturo sa first two years ng college habang ipinapatupad ang transition na ito,” said Coloma. PND (ag)