A.

EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

What is Senate Economic Planning Office SECO?

Senate Economic Planning Office provides technical support to the Senate
President and Members of the Senate in their task to enact relevant and timely
legislation; and to review policies on social and economic development.
 
According to SECO(2011), the Philippines, Djibouti and Angola of Africa , are the only
three remaining countries in the world that retains 10-year basic education system.

The following are issues that influenced the implementation of the K 12

programs highlighted by SECO:

1. Net elementary participation rate have declined from 90.1 percent in 2002 to 88
percent in 2010. Fewer children of school age proceed to high school and an even
smaller pursue college education.
2. Access to education is unequal, with the poor having significantly lower participation
rates than the non-poor.
3. Efficiency is a problem manifested in the still-high, albeit declining dropout school
leave rates.
4. The result of Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey ( FLEMMS)
showed that out-of-school with ages 6 to 15 years old do not attend classes mainly
due to lack of personal interest, high cost of education, too young to go to school.
5. Low score in the country’s national assessment test.
6. The result of international test such as Trends in Intenational Mathematics and
Science Study ( TIMMS) shows that Philippines is among the worst participating
countries.

SECO added that the deterioration in the quality of education was attributed to the 10-
year basic education cycle.

Six compelling reasons why the Philippines shifted to K12

1. The Philippines is the only country in Asia with a 10-year basic education
2. Poor quality of education
3. Too many non-practical subjects
4. Not prepared for college education
5. Too young for labor force
6. No global recognition

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE K12 CURRICULUM

1. Strengthening of the Kindergarten in the Philippines
2. Making the curriculum relevant to learners
 3. Building proficiency
4. Ensuring integrated and seamless learning
5. Gearing up for the future
6. Nurturing the holistically developed Filipino

The goal of the K to 12 basic education is to prepare students for tertiary education and
in the field of work by providing those with enough time in basic education to master
skills and develop competencies that will enable them to perform better when they
decided to go to the field work.

Important Reforms

 Mother tongue is seen as an important medium of instruction

 Contextualized Curriculum
 Senior High School
Tracks were included:

o Academic Track
 Accountancy, Business Management ( ABM )
 Humanities and Social Sciences ( HUMMS )
 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ( STEM )
 Pre-baccalaureate Maritime

o Technical – Vocational Livelihood
 Agri-Fishery
 Home Economics
 Information and Communication Technology
 TVL Maritime

o Sports
o Arts and Design