Graduates to Greatly Benefit From K-12 — Licuanan

The chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has assured that greater benefits will be reaped from the K to 12 program amid the pressing challenges tied with its implementation.

In an interview, CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan said the two major concerns of the K to 12 program include decreased college enrollment over a period of five years and the parents’ mindset of additional two years of expenses.

This is on top of the continuing challenges of basic education such as classroom and teacher shortages, she noted.

Despite these challenges, Licuanan assured that the K to 12 program will increase the global competitiveness of Filipino graduates.

“That will be around for a while, because the real benefits won’t be reaped until after they graduate from a college degree with 12 years of basic education plus 4 years of college,” Licuanan said.

The CHED chairperson recalled her trip to Qatar in January to settle the problems of some 12,000 Filipino engineers and architects who feared losing their jobs because of the Supreme Education Council’s requirement of a 12-year basic education, or a total of 16 years of education, for registering professionals.

The equivalency of the Filipino professionals’ academic qualifications was met with reservations, although Qatari government noted they were willing to make accommodations for the lacking years in the Philippine education cycle.

“They (Filipino engineers and architects) were at a total disadvantage. They were not allowed to register. If at all they were hired, they were hired at a lower level,” said Licuanan.

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 senior high school component of K to 12 will be implemented nationwide in line with the opening of classes on June 13. (PNA) BNB/FMC