Former President, now Senior Deputy Speaker, and Pampanga Rep.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s K-10 Plus

Two Bill seems to have gained momentum lately. In the explanatory note of Arroyo’s House Bill 7893, students

would once again be considered high school graduates upon finishing kindergarten, six years of elementary school,

and four years of secondary school. Senior High School (SHS), or grades 11 and 12, would only be necessary for

individuals pursuing a college degree. This is a compelling concept that could enhance the quality of education,

improve workforce readiness, and provide greater flexibility for students.

While the K–10 Plus Two Program Act has the potential to transform the Philippine education system for

the better, it is important to consider the potential counters against this bill. Above this are the job opportunities for

students after finishing a basic education in Grade 10, if this bill is approved by the law. Not all students can afford

to go to college. It is therefore essential for policymakers to carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of

the proposed bill before making any decisions about its implementation.

Most Filipino citizens may still be confused about this proposed bill by Arroyo and see it as the same as it

is. The current K-12 Program and Arroyo’s K-10 Plus Two Bill have the same aim to enhance the quality of

education, but Arroyo’s bill will give a better quality education with its concept and has the potential power to

transform every student for betterment. The K-12 program has promised that after this basic education, graduate

students will have the opportunity to work, but the problem is that companies prefer to employ 4-year college

graduates, which results in ignoring its true purpose. But this K-12+2 program, with its emphasis on building

foundational knowledge and skills, provides a more comprehensive and focused approach to education.

Arroyo’s Bill will also improve the readiness of students for the workforce in the future after taking the two

years of preparation for a college degree, or so-called post-secondary or pre-university education, now called senior

high school. It is designed to provide a more career-oriented education for those who wish to pursue professional

degree programs such as accounting, engineering, law, medicine, etc. This will help to address the skills gap

between what employers require and what the current education system provides, making graduates more job-ready

and competitive in the global market.

Page 1 of 2
 The proposed K–10+2 program provides greater flexibility for students to choose their career paths. With a

shorter duration for basic education, students can start their careers or pursue further education at an earlier age,

where the last two years will not be vocational-technical education (voc-tech) but will be preparatory to university

education, similar to the foundation of college courses in Europe. Additionally, the two-year post-secondary

program provides students with more options for tertiary education, allowing them to choose between a full four-

year university degree program or a shorter, more specialized program.

The K–10 Plus Two Program Act has the potential to transform the Philippine education system for the

better by providing a more focused, career-oriented, and flexible approach to education. With enhanced quality of

education, improved workforce readiness, reduced financial burden on families, and greater flexibility for students,

the proposed bill can help to build a stronger and more competitive nation. It is therefore highly recommended that

the government prioritize the passage and implementation of the K–12 Plus Two Program Act.

Page 2 of 2