52

4.0 Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, the students should be able to:

❖ Critique with appreciation the 21st-Century Literacies in the K to

12 programs of Various Countries
❖ Formulate a comparative analysis of the new literacies across the
K to 12 programs of various countries.
❖ Present the values of different literacies in the K to 12 programs
in various countries.

4.1 Introduction

Basic Education is defined as the whole range of educational activities that are
taking place in either informal or non-formal setting with the goal of meeting the
learners’ basic learning needs. It is a fact that no country will achieve rapid economic
growth without investing in education. Basic education in developing countries is
essential to build stable training partners with developed countries especially that
quality education is afforded to learners to become knowledgeable, skillful, and
competent ready for global economy. In coming years, the establishment of ASEAN
Economic Community composed of 10 member states will commence for the free flow
of goods and services including education services. This will change the educational
landscape as a result of the changing world, transformed by advances in technology,
knowledge revolution and global perspectives.

3.2 Topics / Discussion (with Assessment/ Activities)

New Literacies across the K to 12 programs

3.2.1
of various countries

Teacher Education Degree Programs

3.2.2
in the Philippines
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THE PRESENT BASIC EDUCATION SCENARIO IN THE PHILIPPINES

Several educational reforms have been initiated because of the Department of

Education’s commitment to enhance the quality of basic education. The mandate of
ensuring that no learner shall be left behind and that every Filipino child will have
access to quality education gave way to the enactment of Kindergarten Education Act
in 2012 and the Republic Act 10533 known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.
Having Kindergarten as part of the basic education curricula and having it mandatory,
improves the students’ access to education. The Philippine Government believes that
compulsory kindergarten better prepares learners who have active minds to the next
level of schooling.
Enhanced Basic Education is popularly known as K to 12 started as a flagship
reform strategy initiated also by the Department of Education Secretary with the
objective of producing more productive and responsible citizens fully equipped with
the essential competencies, skills for both lifelong learning and employment.
There were various proposals, studies and consultations made before coming
up with an enhanced model that is suitable to the Philippine context. The model
Kindergarten, 6 years of elementary education, 4 years of junior high school, and 2
years of senior high school. The 2 years of senior high school is a preparation either
for college career or employment by consolidating the students acquired academic
skills and competence.
What are the reasons for coming up the K to 12?
1. The additional two years hopes to address the deteriorating quality of Philippine
education system as revealed by the low achievement score of the Filipino
students in the National Achievement Test (Nat) – This was discussed in the
prepared discussion paper on “Enhanced K to 12 Education Program” by
DepEd in the last quarter of 2010. The Philippines also had low performance in
the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) as
revealed in the 2003 and 2008 TIMMS.
Philippine Average TIMMS SCORES
(Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study)
PHILIPPINE AVERAGE TIMMS SCORES
Score International Rank Participating
Average Countries
2003 Results
Grade IV
Science 332 489 23 25
Mathematics 358 495 23 25
2008 Result
Advance
Mathematics 355 500 10 10
Source: TIMMS, 2003 and 2008
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2. Another reason is the unpreparedness for employment, entrepreneurship or

higher education of the Filipino High School graduates because of the
congested ten year curriculum. The years in school are not enough for students
to absorb the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue higher education.
Moreover, those who cannot go to college still lack the basic competencies and
emotional maturity for employment. The additional two years in the senior high
school will the prepare students for either higher education or the world of work.
3. Since the educational ladder of almost all countries is 12 years, the additional
two years make the Philippine education system comparable and recognized
in meeting international standards. The Philippines is the only remaining
country with a 10+year basic education program. Graduates of the 12 education
cycle has potential to be globally competitive.
What is K to 12 Education Program?
K to 12 is a term for the sum of primary and secondary education. It is used in
countries like United States, Canada, Turkey, Australia and now in the Philippines.
The expression is a shortening of Kindergarten (K) for 4-6 year old learners, through
twelfth grade (12) for learners who are 17-19 years old.
How do K to 12 Programs of Various Countries Differ?
A. Philippines
In the Philippines, K to 12 Program
covers the Kindergarten plus the 12 years of
basic education (6 years of primary
education), 4 years of Junior High School
and 2 years of Senior High School. The
additional two years in Senior High School
aims to provide sufficient time for mastery
Source:
of concepts and skills, to develop lifelong
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_
learning skills and to prepare graduates for
of_the_Philippines
tertiary education, for mid-level skills and
development, for employment and for entrepreneurship.
Salient Features of K to 12 Program
1. Universal Kindergarten or the mandated Kindergarten for 5 year old
learners.
2. Contextualization and enhancement by making the curriculum relevant to
learners.
3. Mastery of knowledge and skills is done by introducing simple concepts in
spiral progression in subject areas like Mathematics and Science.
4. The two years of the Senior High School is a specialization based on the
learners’ aptitude and interest.
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5. Completing the enhanced Basic Education from Kindergarten, elementary,

Junior High School curriculum and the specialized Senior High School
Program, a Filipino K-12 graduate is ready to take his/her choice path:
further education, employment or entrepreneurship. The focus skills are the
21st century skills namely: Information, media, and technology skills,
learning and innovation skills, effective communication skills and life and
career skills.
B. Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam starts with one
year primary education and the 6 years of
elementary education. Students take and
should pass the end-of-cycle public
examination before they progress to
diversified secondary level. Secondary level
has 2 categories – General Secondary
Education Program (2-3 years) and another Source:
2-3 years of Upper Secondary Education https://www.britannica.com/topic
where students grouped according to their /flag-of-Brunei
academic abilities, talents, and interests.
In the General Education Program of Brunei Darussalam, the students
take four core subjects and three complementary subjects and at least two
elective subjects with Science as on required elective. In Brunei, students who
excel academically can take secondary education in two years. Differentiated
and specialized education responding to the different capabilities and interests
of the learners are the required secondary curriculum. Preschool in Brunei is a
playschool which aims to impart socio-emotional and personality development
for young learners in an informal preschool program.
C. Canada
They follow the K to 12 educational
curriculum with secondary schooling or high
school structure that varies within a
province in terms of inclusion of middle
school or junior high school. By law,
Canadians must be in school starting ages
5 or 6 and remain in school until ages Source:
between 16 and 18 depending on the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag
province or territory. All provinces and _of_Canada
territory provide universal, free and until
secondary schooling of 12 years with the exemption of Quebec where it offers
education until 11 years.
Elementary school includes Grades 1-6 in regions where there are
 56

2 years of middle school or junior high school, but those without middle or junior
high school have elementary until Grade 8. In Quebec, grade school is 6 years
and their students proceed immediately to High School.
Secondary High School with middle school or junior high school, begins
in Grade 7 to Grade 12 and those without begin Secondary High School in
Grade 9.
Post-secondary education includes career college or vocational school,
community college or university.
D. Korea
Their school system follows the 6-3-
3-4 education ladder which is 6 years of
elementary, 3 years of middle school and 3
years of high school and 4 years of either
junior college or university to complete
higher education.
High School are in two categories: Source:
(1) General High School and (2) Vocational https://premierskillsenglish.britishc
High School although there are limited ouncil.org/fans/country-profile-
numbers of schools, which offer both south-korea
general and vocational training which is
known as “Comprehensive High School”. Korean Kindergarten provides

nurturing learning environment through various pleasant activities and diverse

teaching pedagogy. The Kindergarten or Early Childhood curriculum includes
physical, social, expression language and inquiry life areas.
Elementary education in Korea is geared towards the acquisition of
fundamentals necessary for a productive civic life through nine principal
subjects: Moral Education, Korean Language, Social Studies, Arithmetic,
Natural Science, Physical Education, Music, Fine Arts and Practical Arts.
The Middle School curricula are a combination of 11 basic or required
subjects, elective subjects and extra- curricular activities. Blending of education
and readiness for occupation is reflected in the technical and vocational
courses which are elective subjects. Korean students may combine to High
School and admission to High School depends upon the results of High School
entrance examination.
E. Malaysia
Malaysian education begins with
Preschool where the medium of instruction
is both Malaysian and English. Preschools
that use Tamil or Chinese as medium of
instruction also conduct teaching-learning Source:
process using Bahasa Malaysia and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_
of_Malaysia
 57

English. They offer a 2 year optional preschool for learners ages 4-5.
Standards-based preschool curriculum for personality development of young
learners is being followed in Malaysia.
Elementary education is 6 years with a requirement of passing the public
examination as determining factor of the students’ readiness to secondary or
high school level.
Malaysia has 2 level category for Secondary or High School: Lower
Secondary (level 2) and Upper Secondary (level 3). Lower secondary program
offers general and undifferentiated curriculum for 2-3 years. In the upper
secondary 2 years, students take subjects according to their appropriate
streams (Arts, Science, Technical and Religious).
F. Singapore
Their educations begins with
Kindergarten or Preschool at the age of 4-6
years old. In Kindergarten, although not
compulsory, a 3-4 hour provision of
language development, literary skills, basic
number concepts, social skills, creative
skills and appreciation of music and
movement is being provided to the young
learners. Mother tongue is also part of the
Source:
kinder curriculum. Mother tongue language
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w
includes Chinese, Malay, Tamil and Indian.
iki/File:Flag_of_Singapore_(border
Preschool is followed by 6 years of ed).svg
Primary Education, English
Language, Mathematics, Mother Tongue Language are the significant subjects
in the primary education curriculum. Primary school has two stages: Foundation
and Orientation Stages. During foundation stage (Primary 1-4) students are
provided with strong foundation in English, Mother Tongue and Mathematics.
Orientation stage (Primary 5-6) is the stage where the students are taught
Mathematics and Science appropriate to their level.
At the end of Primary 6, all students are assessed on their academic
abilities through the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The results
of the PSLE will place the students in secondary school courses that suit their
academic learning pace and aptitude. At the secondary level, students may
either go to Special (Secondary 1-4 years). Express (Secondary 1-4 years),
Normal (Academic- Secondary 1-5 years) courses depending on the measured
academic ability of the PSLE scores. These four streamed courses offer highly
differentiated curriculum. Special and Express are four year courses which lead
to Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of (GCE ‘O’) Education (Ordinary
Level) examination.
 58

Students in the Normal (Academic) course take academically based subjects

while those in the GCE ‘O’ level examination at the end of 4 or 5 years of
secondary education can qualify for Junior College (2 years), a Polytechnic(3
or 4 years) or a Pre-university center (3 years). Only those who qualify after
passing GCE ‘A’ level examination at the end of Junior College 2, Pre-
University 3 or Polytechnic Year ¾ can enroll in local university or to the
National University of Singapore.
G. United States
The age of entry to compulsory
education in the US varies according to the
state, between 5-7 years old with 6 years old
being the most common as an entry age for
Kindergarten. Kindergarten Certificate is
awarded to allow learners’ entry to
Elementary School/ Primary Education.
Source:
The length of Primary education https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_
varies from 4 to 7 years depending on the of_the_United_States
States or local practice. Certificate or
diploma may also vary by States/ Districts for transition to Secondary School.
Based on its length, elementary education may be followed or not by a number
of years of middle school education which is generally three years (Grades 4-
6, 5-7, 6-8).
High School (Grades 7-12 or Grades 8-12) length program is 6 years
depending upon the laws and policies of states and local districts. There are
also mandatory subjects in almost all US High Schools which include Science
(Biology, Chemistry, Physics) Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry,
Calculus, and Statistics), English (Literature, Humanities, Composition, Oral
Language), Social Sciences (History, Government, Economics) and Physical
Education.
High school students, usually during their Grade 11 take one or more
standardized tests depending on their education preferences and also as
requirements for admission to most Colleges. Most common standardized tests
taken by US student are Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and American
College Testing (ACT). High School Diploma is awarded upon completion of
Grade 12 and the diploma covers a variety of awards for different curricula and
standards like general basic track, vocational and academic/ college
preparatory.

Reference
• Lourdes S. Lim, Ed.D., Rosalina A. Caubic. Ed.D., Luvimi L. Casihan,
Ph. D., The Teaching Profession pp. 70-78

Acknowledgement
• The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module
were taken from the references cited above.
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B. Description Cluster
Philippine K to 12 Program Country of Choice
_ _
_ _
_ _
_ Similarities _
_ _
_ _
_ _

_ _
_ _
_ _
_ Differences _
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_ _

2. Pair with any one of your classmates

3. Share data with your classmate

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APPLY
Description Cluster
Name: Date:
Tabulate your significant finding on the K to 12 Curriculum of Various Countries.
Country Educational Ladder Important Features
Example 1 (Kinder) 6 (Elementary) - Mandatory
Philippines 4 (Junior High School) kindergarten
2 (Senior High School - Spiral approach in
teaching Science and
Math
- Mother Tongue based
in Elementary
Education
- Academic and
Technology Track in
Senior High School
Brunei

Canada

Korea

Malaysia

Singapore

United States