On Changes and Chances

By Raffy B. Baao

Change is the only constant thing in this world. Humanity depends on what the world has to offer, and the world has been changed by the people. Learning is an integral part, it is continuous, yet its processing varies from time to time. There were different forms of teaching before which were suited and aligned with what the people and the world needed. But the time has now come for modifications to take place. The Philippine Government saw holes in the educational system which affected its learners. With this era of modernization comes new approaches for better teaching and learning, for better quality education, and for a better future.

The most important instrument for anyone to succeed in life is education. It inspired everyone to take the lead and succeed in making a positive impact where accomplishment and recognition can be obtained. It offered everyone’s capacity for critical thought in both directions helped them make better decisions to deal with various life obstacles and inspired them to pursue better opportunities to advance in their chosen fields’ way of life (Dizon, R. L. et al, 2019).

NODOUSHAN, M. (2008) stated that as the world develops, new technologies are invented with the hope of introducing welfare to the lives of human beings. Many people now prefer to stay at home and access education through home-based technologies like the Internet. The growing number of educational systems in recent years have moved towards cost-effective distance-education programs at all levels of education from kindergarten (K) to grade twelve (12) hence, termed as K-12 Education. K-12 is a cover term that stands for distance education that includes kindergarten, primary and secondary levels of education.

Primary and secondary education in the Philippines only lasted 10 years in total, the first six of which were spent in elementary school and the last four in high school. This was before the K-12 program was implemented into the country’s educational system. And with the modifications that occurred, Filipino people are given many advantages.

Every individual learns first at home. It is where one learns to speak with others using the first learned language. It is where he understands first many things using the same used dialects. Thus, upon entering school, the expected language these babies first use is their home dialect. Early childhood is crucial to learning. It is the foundation. Again, some were able to enroll in Grade 1 before because Kindergarten was not compulsory yet, and learners were able to meet the required skills. That was the case then. But today is different. Children now need to be more ready, and for them to be, Kindergarten is one of the answers. Kindergarten has a great effect when it comes to the early development of pupils. It is where they play a lot! Playing plays a substantial role in the learning process of children. It is clear enough that it is a nature of a child to play, but the approaches in Kinder are more well-planned than that of the normal set-up of playing at home or in other playing areas. Socialization, motor skills, language, and mathematics development are some of the focuses which are essential to pupils’ learning. When all of these are well-developed, then they can now take another ladder for learning.

In an article written by ABRAGAN, F. Q. et al (2022), they highlighted that the Philippines, the only country in Southeast Asia to use this strategy, benefited as a result. The Department of Education’s proposal to use K–12 education included this as one of its driving forces. However, the K–12 Program has lengthened the basic education period to 13 years, with the following fundamental stages: kindergarten through grade three; grades four through six; grades seven through 10 (compulsory junior high school); and grades eleven and twelve (senior high school).

As the K-12 educational program was enacted into law, educators had mixed feelings about what it would mean for the nation’s kids and schools. According to the officials, Filipino pupils who complete senior high school will not only be prepared for employment but will also meet the requirements set by other countries’ educational systems.

Along with putting a focus on enhancing education, the government also set aside funds to support teachers’ professional growth through regular seminars and training, equipping them with the knowledge and abilities they need to help students forge a path toward the career they want. Giving educators more autonomy could help the Philippines become a contemporary, student-centered country in terms of its educational system.

Filipino pupils would benefit from better-equipped teachers under the K-12 program since the government has planned ongoing training and seminars for their professional development. As we move toward a more technical and student-centered system of teaching and learning tailored for the children of the future millennium, more empowered school workers and principals are becoming more effective.

Aside from enhanced training and skill acquisition, students can choose from three tracks and multiple strands to build a path toward the specialty or vocation of their choice. The DepEd promised that these courses would deliver higher-quality education by allowing students to learn a field and develop their talents. Finally, graduates of K-12 programs will be globally competitive and well-prepared for the expanding labor market.

Students can focus on courses and subjects that will assist them in transferring to college courses or careers after graduation by choosing one of three tracks: academic, technical-vocational-livelihood, and sports and arts.

With the Philippine K to 12 curricula developed as a student-centered curriculum, pupils are given more freedom to choose what they will learn. In contrast to the usual curriculum, students will not be assigned pre-selected subjects. Instead, they will be given the freedom to choose their own paths and fine-tune their education.

Indeed, these various changes offered numerous chances for the Filipino people. Chances to choose education, chances to learn. May these chances not be wasted by anyone in securing a better tomorrow and for other changes to come.

ABRAGAN, F. Q., AQUINO, I. M., ABARCAS, V., & BAGONGON, R. E. (2022, May). Research Review on K-12 Curriculum Implementation in The Philippines: A Generic Perspective. Ana Sayfa » DergiPark. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2198595

Dizon, R. L., Calbi, J. S., Cuyos, J. S., & Miranda, M. (2019, April 12). Perspectives on the Implementation of the K to 12 Program in the Philippines: A Research Review. https://www.ijires.org/administrator/components/com_jresearch/files/publications/IJIRES_1638_FINAL.pdf

NODOUSHAN, M. A. (2008, November). A CRITIQUE OF THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF K-12 EDUCATION. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504240.pdf. ERIC - Education Resources Information Center. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504240.pdf