K to 12 ENHANCED

BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM A SPECIAL PROJECT IN SCHOOL LEGISLATION

MA. LYN IGLIANE-VILLENES

MAEd – Educational Management

ORLANDO D. SERDON, DEM

Professor, EdM 514 School Legislation

PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY The National Center for Teacher Education

Graduate Studies

Lopez Campus

Lopez, Quezon

COURSEWORK IN

SCHOOL LEGISLATION

A Special Project as a

Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Course

EdM 514:

School Legislation

MA.LYN IGLIANE - VILLENES

MA – Educational Management

ORLANDO D. SERDON, DEM

Course Professor

May 2013

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to acknowledge the people behind this undertaking who helped me to finish

this requirement.

First is to our Almighty God, for the knowledge, strength, and guidance in accomplishing

this.

To my Cham and Jiji, who serves as my inspiration.

To my husband, Rej, who encouraged and helped me to finish this coursework.

To Dr. Orlando D. Serdon, our course professor, for his sharing of valuable knowledge

and insights about rightful supervisorship.

To those who are not mentioned but in one way or another contributed in realization of

this thing, a big thank you.

DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to the most wonderful gifts

I received from God

My Cham Cham

My Jiji

My Ilou.

1. What is K to 12?

Essentially, K to 12 Program deals with the aim in improving the quality of basic

education in the country. It stands for Kindergarten to Grade 12. Unlike before, basic

education in the Philippines will commence at the Kindergarten level and follows by a 12-

years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School,

and two years of Senior High School) 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.

Recently, President Aquino signed a law adding three extra years to the country’s 10-year

basic education curriculum in a bid to make Filipino students at par with their peers in other

countries. He quoted that, “This lays the foundations for a better future for every Filipino

child.” With the signed law, it makes enrolment in kindergarten compulsory before children

can begin the traditional six years of primary school and adds two more years to high school.

The RA 10533, also known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, or the K-to-12 Act,

establishes a “universal kindergarten” and introduces “Grades 11 and 12” to high school

education in public and private schools.

Moreover, K to 12 was crafted to plug the shortcomings of the 10-year basic education

cycle in which students had less time to understand their lessons, and had to compete with

better-prepared graduates from other countries. Competing with the international standards

challenges the Philippine government to innovate the former curriculum.

K to 12 seems not to be new in the educational sector. USA has it several decades ago.

Philippines patterned it with the set-up in US, while the latter took only the concept in United

Kingdom. Other countries have also changed their schooling to 12 years of basic education,

where only 3 countries in the world have less than 12 year basic education cycle Philippines,

along with Angola and Djibouti, are identified among the last three.

2. Comprehensively discuss its component (curriculum content) and its

implementation process.

Figure 1

The K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Cycle Distribution of Years

Figure 1 shows the distribution of 12 years in the Enhanced Basic Education Cycle of the

country. Schooling will commence at Kindergarten (K), then the primary education (Grades 1-6),

then the junior high school (Grades 7-10), and senior high school (Grades 11 & 12).

K to 12 has also its salient feature which is strategically developed to achieve the success

of its implementation. The infographics on the next page shows the Six Salient Features of K to

12.

Strengthen Early Childhood Education

(Universal Kindergarten)

Making the Curriculum Relevant to Learners

(Contextualization and Enhancement)

Ensuring Integrated and Seamless Learning

(Spiral Progression)

Building Proficiency through Language

(Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education)

Gearing Up for the Future

(Senior High School)

Nurturing the Holistically Developed Filipino

(College and Livelihood Readiness, 21st Century Skills)

SA

LIEN

T FEA

TUR

ES

Under Republic Act No. 10157, also known as the Kindergarten

Act of 2012, every Filipino child now has access to early childhood

education through Universal Kindergarten. At 5 years old, children start

studying and are given the ways to gradually adjust to the primary

schooling.

Study reveals that children who underwent Kindergarten have

better completion rates than those who did not. Children who complete a

standards-based Kindergarten program are better prepared, for primary

education. Education for children in the early years lays the foundation for

lifelong learning and for the total development of a child. As described in

Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory, kindergarten years are the so-

called “teachable moments”. The early years of a human being, from 0 to

6 years, are the most critical period when the brain grows to at least 60-

70% of adult size. Hence, this period must be filled up with the essential

knowledge required for learning.

Maximizing concrete experiences will pave way to a more learning experience.

Examples, activities, songs, poems, stories, and illustrations are based on local culture, history,

Strengthen Early Childhood Education

(Universal Kindergarten)

Making the Curriculum Relevant to Learners

(Contextualization and Enhancement)

and reality. This makes the lessons contextualized

which are relevant to the learners and easy to

understand. Hence, meaningful learning will be

experienced.

Moreover, students acquire in-depth

knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes through

continuity and consistency across all levels and

subjects.

Discussions on issues such as Disaster Risk

Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation, and

Information & Communication Technology (ICT) are

given importance in the said curriculum.

Like the idea of Spiral Curriculum by Jerome Brunner, subjects will be taught from the

simplest concepts to more complicated concepts through grade levels in a progression. As early

as elementary, pupils are expected to acquire knowledge in areas such as Biology, Geometry,

Earth Science, Chemistry, and Algebra through their elementary subjects. Basic foundations will

be ensured to be mastered before going to study the complex ones. This also certifies mastery of

knowledge and skills after each level. For example, currently in High School, Biology is taught

in 2nd

Year, Chemistry in 3rd

Year and Physics in 4th

Year. In the enhanced basic education

program, these subjects are connected and integrated from Grades 7 to 10. This same method

will be applied also in other subjects.

Ensuring Integrated and Seamless Learning

(Spiral Progression)

Different studies were made in relation

with the use of the mother tongue as the mode of

instruction in the everyday learning endeavor.

Results show significant evidences that using

student’s mother tongue promotes better learning.

In K to 12, students are able to learn best

through their first language, their Mother Tongue

(MT). Twelve (12) MT languages have been

introduced for SY 2012-2013: Bahasa Sug, Bikol,

Cebuano, Chabacano, Hiligaynon, Iloko,

Kapampangan, Maguindanaoan, Meranao,

Pangasinense, Tagalog, and Waray. Other local

languages will be added in succeeding school years.

Aside from the Mother Tongue, English and Filipino are taught as subjects starting Grade

1, with a focus on oral fluency. From Grades 4 to 6, English and Filipino are gradually

introduced as languages of instruction. Both will become primary mode of instruction in Junior

and Senior High School. After Grade 1, every student can read in his or her Mother Tongue.

Furthermore, learning in Mother Tongue also serves as an essential foundation for students to

learn Filipino and English easily.

Building Proficiency through Language

(Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education)

What’s new with K to 12? This one is the added feature in the basic education curriculum

– the introduction of Senior High School.

Senior High School is two years of specialized upper secondary education; students may

choose a specialization based on aptitude, interests, and school capacity. The choice of career

track will define the content of the subjects a student will take in Grades 11 and 12.

Figure 2 below shows the learning areas to be offered in Senior High and its target track.

Figure 2

Subjects Offered and the Track Direction of Senior High

There are 7 Learning Areas under the Core Curriculum. These are Languages, Literature,

Communication, Mathematics, Philosophy, Natural Science, and Social Sciences. Current

content from some General Education subjects are embedded in the SHS curriculum.

Gearing Up for the Future

(Senior High School)

Students who will pursue Academic Track will be taking the following subjects:

Business, Accountancy, Management (BAM); Humanities, Education, Social Sciences (HESS);

and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM).

Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track will be taking up courses on TVET (Technical

Vocational Education & Training) which could obtain National Certificates, Level I or II, in

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), provided that the student will

pass the competency-based examination. NC I and NC II improves employability of graduates in

fields like Agriculture, Electronics, and Trade.

The Filipino student after going to the K to 12 education (Kindergarten, the enhanced

Elementary and Junior High curriculum, and a specialized Senior High program), are expected to

be a holistically developed citizen pursuing their different paths – may it be further education,

employment, or entrepreneurship.

In general, they will acquire the necessary knowledge for living. The inforgraph below

will explain what a K to 12 graduates is.

Figure 3

21st Century Skills in a K to 12 Graduate

Nurturing the Holistically Developed Filipino (College and Livelihood Readiness, 21st Century Skills)

THE S

UB

JEC

TS

The Curriculum (List of Subjects)

Elementary Education Subjects

1. Languages

a. Filipino (1-6)

b. Mother Tongue (1-3)

c. English (4-6)

2. Mathematics

3. Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP)

4. Araling Panlipunan (AP)

5. Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health (MAPEH)

Junior High School Subjects

1. English

2. Filipino

3. Science

4. Mathematics

5. Araling Panlipunan (AP)

6. Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP)

7. Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health (MAPEH)

8. Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE)

Senior High School Track

1. Academics

2. Sports and Arts

3. Technical-Vocational-Livelihood

See Appendix II for Descriptions

The operation of the program in public schools is being done in

stages. Starting SY 2012–2013, Grade 1 entrants are the first batch to fully

undergo the program, and current 1st year Junior High School students (or

Grade 7) are the first to undergo the enhanced secondary education

program. To facilitate the transition from the existing 10-year basic

education to 12 years, DepEd is also implementing the SHS Modeling.

Figure 4 & 5 shows the implementation plan for public & private

schools respectively.

Figure 4

Schematic Implementation Plan in Public Schools

Figure 5

Schematic Implementation Plan in Private Schools

IMPLE

MEN

TATI

ON

PLA

N

IMPLEMENTATION & TRANSITION MANAGEMENT (Schematic Implementation Plan)

3. Give suggestion for the improvement of the plan.

Overview

K to12 is described as extending basic education by two years, so instead of having a

high school graduate at 16 (years old), we will have high schoolers graduating at 18. It basically

aims to expand comprehensively the congested learning areas taught in the 10-year basic

education cycle.

Why there’s a need for K to 12? Primarily, to enhance the quality of education in the

country. Accordingly, three significant reasons are identified to be the leading reason for

enacting this program.

At present, the Philippines is the only country in Asia and among the three remaining

countries in the world that uses a 10-year basic education cycle. In a presentation made by the

South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO-INNOTECH) on Additional

Years in Philippine Basic Education (2010), the comparative data on duration of Basic and Pre-

University Education in Asia shows that the Philippines allots 10 years not just for the basic

education cycle but also for the pre-university education while all the other countries have either

11 or 12 years in their basic education cycle.

Another reason includes the performance rate of the students in the country. Achievement

scores highlight our students’ poor performance in national examinations. For example, the

National Achievement Test (NAT) results for grade 6 in SY 2009-2010 showed only a 69.21%

passing rate while the NAT results for high school is at a low 46.38%. Furthermore, international

tests results in 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science study (TIMSS) show that

the Philippines ranked 34th

out of 38 countries in HS Math and 43rd

out of 46 countries in HS II

Science. Hence, placing Philippines in the lowest spot in 2008 even with only the science high

schools joining the Advanced Mathematics category.

In the instruction itself, studies show that the present curriculum is found to be congested.

This means that students do not get enough time to perform tasks because the curriculum is

designed to be taught in a span of 12 years and not 10 years. The more evident result of this is

the fact that most students finished secondary level without the readiness to take upon higher

education or employment. These students are not equipped with the basic skills or competencies

needed at work. Likewise, the short duration of our basic education program puts Filipinos who

are interested to either work or study abroad at a disadvantage. This is because other countries

see our 10-year program as incomplete, which then, causes Filipino graduates to not be

considered as professionals abroad.

Suggested Points: Make Reforms Transform

Logically, the need for K to 12 must be addressed by answering it critically and clearly.

The following points are some of the suggested points on how to improve the Enhanced Basic

Education Cycle.

1. Address the Perennial Problems

The figure in left shows the ultimate

problem in DepEd. If these problems

won’t be addressed before the full

implementation, same results will

occur. To achieve better quality results,

the existing problems must be solve

first. State’s investment in education is

not a waste. Use people’s money in

education instead of using funds on

political and ghost projects.

2. Enhancing Instructional Supervision

Common problems still exist – not only with resources but also with the so-called

incompetent instructional leaders. According to studies conducted by Marzano, et. al.

(2011), the ham-fisted supervision leads to school and learner’s poor performance.

Although DepEd screens the would-be principals through an examination, still, some

school heads that is not yet passing the exam is still in the supervision practice. No

point of removing them as instructional leaders – the point is to train them thoroughly

so that K to 12 implementation in the grassroots level won’t be ending up

deteriorating.

3. Encouraging Classroom Teachers Towards Professional Growth

Without classroom teachers, K to 12 won’t be possible. They are in the frontline.

They are in the grassroot level. They are the one responsible in carrying out the

program. Hence, professional advancement of these “carriers of success” must be

given emphasis.

4. Enough Training Programs and Seminar-Workshops in the Implementation of

K to 12

Well, DepEd is giving an orientation training a month before the implementation. Is

this enough? Others may say yes, but we aren’t sure if they really digest it if without

practice. Thus, continuous training on K to 12, especially on 21st century learning

strategies, would be a big help.

5. Make Prior Studies for Instructional Materials Templates and Competencies

One problem of K to 12 is on its new instructional materials. Materials for Grades 3

and 9 are not yet ready. The Central Office and IMCS are still on its process on

developing materials. Before the development of materials, make sure that the said

offices issued the Resource Writing Teams the exact templates and competencies to

be used so that no time will be wasted. Problems arise when changes in templates,

format and competencies are given late when materials are already written.

6. Creation of Majorship or Specialization Suited to Grades 11 & 12

TEIs are not yet developing curriculum and framework in addressing the need for

Specialists in Grades 11 & 12. It would be much better if the higher education will be

offering specialization on the said grades, especially for Sports & Arts and Technical-

Vocational-Livelihood tracks.

7. Training for Technical Competencies on TLE

Subjects in TLE are very interesting since skills are surely be taught, like practical

electricity, PC hardware servicing, food processing, commercial cooking, and the

likes. Teachers who will be teaching these subjects or field of specialization must

obtain first their National Certificates in TESDA to ensure that they are really skilled

and qualified to teach such fields.

8. Make 21st Century Learning Reality

The inculcation of realistic 21st century education features are the main point of K to

12 – to create a 21st century learner capable of employment, entrepreneurship, and

further education. If skills required in 21st century learning are not given since the

basic foundation, surely, nothing will change.

9. Support Teachers Needs

Giving importance to teachers will surely bring a good effect in the teaching-learning

process. Other countries (e.g. Finland) giving priorities and treating teachers like

other elite jobs (attorney, doctors) will mean a big thing towards the professional and

morale status of teachers. Increasing salaries noted no significant correlation with the

quality of output, but the fact that teachers are recognized by the State is something

more important. A high positive correlation is seen on the latter reason.

10. Quality vs Quantity

K to 12 is not merely adding kinder and two years of Senior High School. DepEd

officials must closely monitor if work done is at its best. If quality will be set aside,

only the quantity of education cycle will be remarkably noted in the history of

Philippine education.

APPENDICES

I. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON THE ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS

1. When will the K to 12 Program be implemented?

Universal Kindergarten began in SY 2011–2012.

The enhanced curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 (1st Year Junior High School)

was rolled out this SY 2012–2013, and will be progressively introduced in the

other grade levels in succeeding school years.

Grade 11 will be introduced in SY 2016–2017 and Grade 12 in SY 2017–2018.

The first batch of high school students to go through K to 12 will graduate in

March 2018.

2. Where will the additional two years be added?

The two years will be added after the four-year high school program.

This will be called Senior High School.

3. Why are we implementing 12 years of basic education and not 11 years?

A 12-year program is found to be the adequate period for learning under basic

education. It is also a standard for recognition of students and/or professionals

abroad (i.e. the Bologna Process for the European Union and the Washington

Accord for the United States).

Other countries like Singapore have 11 years of compulsory education, but have

12 to 14 years of pre-university education depending on the track. The Philippines

is the last country in Asia and one of only three countries (Angola and Djibouti)

worldwide with a 10-year pre-university cycle.

4. How will K to 12 help in ensuring employment for our graduates?

The K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum will be sucient to prepare students for

work.

The curriculum will enable students to acquire Certificates of Competency

(COCs) and National Certifications (NCs). This will be in accordance with

TESDA Training Regulations. This will allow graduates to have middle-level

skills and will o�er them better opportunities to be gainfully employed or become

entrepreneurs.

There will be a school–industry partnership for technical–vocational courses to

allow students to gain work experience while studying and o�er the opportunity

to be absorbed by the companies.

5. What would be the assurance that K to 12 graduates will be employed?

DepEd has entered into an agreement with business organizations, local and

foreign chambers of commerce, and industries to ensure that graduates of K to 12

will be considered for employment.

There will be a matching of competency requirements and standards so that 12-

year basic education graduates will have the necessary skills needed to join the

workforce and to match the College Readiness Standards for further education

and future employment.

6. How will the K to 12 Program help working students (college level)?

DepEd is in collaboration with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to

provide more opportunities for working students to attend classes.

DepEd is working with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to

ensure that jobs will be available to K to 12 graduates and that consideration will

be given to working students.

7. How will the K to 12 Program help students intending to pursue higher

education?

The K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum is in accordance with the College

Readiness Standards of CHED, which sets the skills and competencies required of K

to 12 graduates who intend to pursue higher education.

8. What will happen to colleges and universities during the initial nationwide

implementation of Senior High School in SY 2016–2017 and SY 2017–2018?

To manage the initial implementation of the K to 12 Program and mitigate the

expected multi-year low enrolment turnout for colleges, universities, and

Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVI) starting SY 2016-2017, DepEd shall

engage in partnerships with them to use their existing facilities and teaching sta�.

This ensures that during the transition period, the reduction in enrollment in these

colleges and universities may be o�set.

9. Where will Senior High School be implemented?

Existing public schools may implement Senior High School. DepEd will have

partnerships with CHED, TESDA, and private schools to use their facilities,

especially for the transition years. In addition, new standalone Senior High Schools

will be built.

10. How will DepEd recruit enough teachers for SY 2016-2017 onwards?

With the continuous increase of the DepEd budget, more teachers are being hired

to fill all necessary gaps in schools.

To aid transition, hiring of (1) graduates of Science, Mathematics, Statistics,

Engineering, and other specialists in subjects with a shortage of qualified

Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) applicants, (2) graduates of Technical-

Vocational courses, (3) Higher Education Institution faculty, and (4) Practitioners

will be allowed.

11. What are the guidelines for graduates of Science, Mathematics, Statistics,

Engineering, and other specialists in subjects with a shortage of qualified

Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) applicants?

These graduates will be permitted to teach in their specialized subjects in

elementary and secondary education. They must pass the LET within five years

after their date of hiring to remain employed full-time.

They will no longer be required to pass the LET if these graduates are willing to

teach on a part-time basis.

12. What are the guidelines for hired technical-vocational course graduates, faculty

of Higher Education Institutions, and practitioners?

Graduates of technical-vocational courses must have necessary certification

issued by TESDA and undergo training to be administered by DepEd or a Higher

Education Institutions (HEI).

Faculty of colleges and universities must be full-time professors and be holders of

a relevant Bachelor’s degree.

Faculty of TVIs and HEIs will be given priority in hiring for the transition period.

DepEd and Private Education Institutions may also hire practitioners with

expertise in the specialized learning areas o�ered by the K to 12 Program as part-

time teachers.

13. How will K to 12 a-ect the college curriculum?

The college General Education Curriculum is being revised. It will have fewer

units with the removal of unnecessary remediation as K to 12 graduates adheres to the

College Readiness Standards. With K to 12, the college curriculum will comprise of a

year’s worth of General Education subjects and at least two years of major subjects.

14. Will K to 12 change TESDA Technical Vocational Education and Training

(TVET) programs?

No. TESDA will continue to o�er TVET programs. Students may also be eligible

for NC I and NC II through Junior High School and Senior High School, respectively.

15. What is my role in supporting this program?

Be informed. Education shapes our future and as Filipinos, it is our duty to be

aware of reforms in basic education that will move our country forward.

Spread awareness. Tell your family, friends, and networks about the K to12

Program and help them stay informed.

16. What will happen to the curriculum? What subjects will be added and removed?

There is a continuum from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and to technical-vocational

and higher education.

The current curriculum has been enhanced and has been given more focus to

allow mastery of learning.

In Grades 11 and 12, core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Languages will

be strengthened. Specializations in students’ areas of interest will also be o�ered.

17. Will students choose specializations or will this be determined by assessment?

Students will undergo several assessments to determine their interests and

strengths. These will include an aptitude test, a career assessment exam, and an

occupational interest inventory for high schools, and should help students decide

on their specialization.

To help guide students in choosing career tracks they intend to pursue, career

advocacy activities will be regularly conducted, which will be supported by career

and employment guidance counsellors.

18. For Senior High School, what will happen if majority of our students want to

specialize in Agriculture and only one is interested to take Mathematics or

Business? How will this be accommodated?

This is an extreme situation. The areas of specialization will be offered according

to the resources available in a locality and the needs of students.

19. What will happen to special schools such as science high schools, high schools for

the arts, trade schools, etc.?

These schools will remain special schools with enriched curriculum for Grades 7

to 12.

20. What will happen to multi-grade teaching?

Multi-grade teaching will continue, and will use the K to 12 curriculum.

21. Alternative Learning System (ALS) age requirement is only 16 years old for the

high school equivalency test. Will this change to 18? Students might want to turn

to ALS if they can save two years of formal school education costs.

The ALS is based on the existing 10-year basic education curriculum. When the

new 12-year curriculum will be in place, ALS will likewise be revised.

22. Will K to 12 enhance programs targeted to indigenous people, Muslim learners,

and people with special needs?

Yes, the K to 12 curriculum was designed to address diverse learner needs, and

may be adapted to fit specific learner groups.

23. Is Kindergarten a pre-requisite for entering Grade 1?

Yes. Republic Act No. 10157, or the Kindergarten Education Act, institutionalizes

Kindergarten as part of the basic education system and is a pre-requisite for

admission to Grade 1. Public schools will continue to admit children who have not

taken Kindergarten into Grade 1 until SY 2013-2014.

24. Is there an overlap between the daycare program of the LGUs and DepEd

Kindergarten?

There is no overlap. Daycare centers of the LGUs take care of children aged 4 and

below, whereas the DepEd Kindergarten program is for five-year-old children.

25. Should schools now prepare permanent records for Kindergarten students?

Yes. Although the assessment on readiness skills of students in Kindergarten is

not academically driven, a good measure of the child’s ability to cope with formal

schooling is needed for future learning interventions.

26. Who is in charge of Kindergarten teacher compensation? The LGU o DepEd?

DepEd is the main agency that employs and pays Kindergarten teachers.

There are LGUs that help in the Kindergarten program and provide honoraria for

Kindergarten teachers.

27. Will MTB-MLE include other languages in the future?

For SY 2012-2013, 12 Mother Tongue languages are being used for MTB-MLE.

More languages like Ivatan will be added in succeeding years.

28. Which mother tongue will be used in multi-cultural areas?

The common language in the area or lingua franca shall be used as the medium of

instruction.

The principle of MTB-MLE is to use the language that learners are most

comfortable and familiar with.

II. K TO 12 LEARNING AREAS

Learning Area Description

Integrated Language Arts

English/Filipino

Ang Filipino ay naglalayong malinang ang (1)

kakayahang komunikatibo at (2) kahusayan sa

pagunawa at pagpapahalagang pampanitikan ng mga

mag-aaral. Lilinangin ang makrong kasanayan

(pakikinig, pagsasalita, pagbasa, pagsulat at panonood)

sa tulong ng iba’t ibang dulog at

pamamaraan tulad ng Komunikatibong Pagtuturo ng

Wika (KPW), Pagtuturong Batay sa Nilalaman (PBL)

ng iba’t ibang akdang pampanitikan at Pagsasanib ng

Gramatika sa Tulong ng iba’t ibang Teksto (PGRT), at

isinasaalang-alang din ang pagsasanib ng mga

pagpapahalang pangkatauhan sa pag-aaral at

pagsusuri ng iba’t ibang akdang pampanitikan.

Science This course deals with the basic concepts in Biology,

Chemistry, Physics and Earth/Space Science. Every

quarter presents the different science disciplines across

grade levels in increasing complexity. The course is

focused on the development of awareness and

understanding of practical everyday problems that

affect the learners’ lives and those around them.

Mathematics It includes key concepts and principles of number

sense, measurement, algebra, geometry, probability

and statistics as applied, using appropriate technology,

in critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning,

communicating, making connections, representations

and decisions in real life.

Araling Panlipunan Ang asignaturang ito ay naglalayong tumalakay sa

kasaysayan ng Pilipinas gamit ang sipi ng mga piling

primaryang sanggunian mula sa iba’t ibang panahon

at uri; at magpamalas ng malalim na pang-unawa sa

mga pangunahing kaisipan at mga napapanahong isyu

sa pag-aaral ng kasaysayan, pamahalaan, kultura at

lipunan ng mga rehiyong Asyano; kasaysayang

pandaigdig at napapanahong isyu; at ang kaisipan at

napapanahong isyu sa ekonomiks at pambansang

pagunlad.

Technology & Livelihood

Education

Technology and Livelihood Education (TIE) provides

an enriched general education that will prepare our

graduates for higher education, world of work and

lifelong learning. The integration of Entrepreneurship

concepts such as Personal Entrepreneurial

Competencies (PECS), Environment and Market (E &

M), and Process and Delivery prepares the students for

gainful employment and to set up their own business in

the areas of Agri-Fishery Arts, Industrial Arts, Home

Economics, and Information and Communication

Technology.

Music, Art, Physical

Education & Health

(MAPEH)

This learning area covers four (4) major components

namely: Music, Art, Physical Education and Health.

• Music and Art deal with the study of man’s aesthetic

expression through sounds (music) and visuals (art)

mirroring the sentiments and ideas of society and

culture, and contributing to the development of

individual and collective identity. It is designed to be

student-centered, based on spiral progression, and

grounded in performance-based learning focused on

appreciation and application where basic fundamentals

are further reinforced. The program design empowers

the learners to effectively correlate Music and Art to

the study of Philippine Culture, as influenced by

history, the culture of its neighbors, and the effects of

globalization and the advancement of information

technology.

Physical Education and Health promote the

development of active and healthy lifestyle. Physical

Education focuses on five strands namely: body

management, movement skills, games and sports,

rhythm and dance and physical fitness.

Each strand is sequentially developed across grade

levels including activities that are varied and age

appropriate to address the needs and interest of

learners. The Health program deals with physical,

mental, emotional, social, moral and spiritual

dimensions of health that enable learners to acquire

essential knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to

promote good nutrition, prevent and control diseases,

substance use and abuse, and reduce health-related risk

behaviors and injuries with the view to maintaining

and improving personal, family, community, national

and global health.

Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao

(EsP)

Ang Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao ay naglalayong

malinang at mapaunlad ang kakayahan ng mga

magaaral sa moral na pagpapasya at paggawa ng mga

pasyang batay sa idinidikta ng tamang konsensya. Apat

na tema ang nililinang sa paraang expanding spiral

mula Kindergarten hanggang Grade 10: (a)

Pananagutang Pansarili at Pagiging Kasapi sa Pamilya

(b) Pakikipagkapwa at Katatagan ng Pamilya, (c)

Paggawa Tungo sa Pambansang Pag-unlad at

Pakikibahagi sa Pandaigdigang Pagkakaisa, at (d)

Pagkamaka-Diyos at Preperensya sa Kabutihan. Ang

nilalaman at istraktura ng Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao

ay nakaangkla sa dalawang disiplina: Ethics at Career

Guidance. Ang Etika ay ang siyensya ng moralidad ng

kilos ng tao. Ang Career Guidance ay ang paggabay sa

mag-aaral na magpasya ng kursong akademiko o

teknikal-bokasyonal na tugma sa kanyang mga talento,

kakayahan at aptitude at mga trabahong kailangan sa

ekonomiya kakayahan at aptitude at mga trabahong

kailangan sa ekonomiya.

III. K TO 12 ACT OF 2013

Republic Act No. 10533

S. No. 3286

H. No. 6643

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines

Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533]

AN ACT ENHANCING THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM BY STRENGTHENING

ITS CURRICULUM AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YEARS FOR BASIC EDUCATION,

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013″.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate, and

integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people, the country and society-at-large.

Likewise, it is hereby declared the policy of the State that every graduate of basic education shall be an

empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound educational principles and

geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and

be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global communities, the capability to

engage in autonomous, creative, and critical thinking, and the capacity and willingness to transform others and

one’s self.

For this purpose, the State shall create a functional basic education system that will develop productive and

responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies, skills and values for both life-long learning and

employment. In order to achieve this, the State shall:

(a) Give every student an opportunity to receive quality education that is globally competitive based on a

pedagogically sound curriculum that is at par with international standards;

(b) Broaden the goals of high school education for college preparation, vocational and technical career

opportunities as well as creative arts, sports and entrepreneurial employment in a rapidly changing and

increasingly globalized environment; and

(c) Make education learner-oriented and responsive to the needs, cognitive and cultural capacity, the

circumstances and diversity of learners, schools and communities through the appropriate languages of

teaching and learning, including mother tongue as a learning resource.

SEC. 3. Basic Education. — Basic education is intended to meet basic learning needs which provides the

foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It encompasses kindergarten, elementary and

secondary education as well as alternative learning systems for out-of-school learners and those with special

needs.

SEC. 4. Enhanced Basic Education Program. — The enhanced basic education program encompasses at least

one (1) year of kindergarten education, six (6) years of elementary education, and six (6) years of secondary

education, in that sequence. Secondary education includes four (4) years of junior high school and two (2)

years of senior high school education.

Kindergarten education shall mean one (1) year of preparatory education for children at least five (5) years old

as a prerequisite for Grade I.

Elementary education refers to the second stage of compulsory basic education which is composed of six (6)

years. The entrant age to this level is typically six (6) years old.

Secondary education refers to the third stage of compulsory basic education. It consists of four (4) years of

junior high school education and two (2) years of senior high school education. The entrant age to the junior

and senior high school levels are typically twelve (12) and sixteen (16) years old, respectively.

Basic education shall be delivered in languages understood by the learners as the language plays a strategic

role in shaping the formative years of learners.

For kindergarten and the first three (3) years of elementary education, instruction, teaching materials and

assessment shall be in the regional or native language of the learners. The Department of Education (DepED)

shall formulate a mother language transition program from Grade 4 to Grade 6 so that Filipino and English

shall be gradually introduced as languages of instruction until such time when these two (2) languages can

become the primary languages of instruction at the secondary level.

For purposes of this Act, mother language or first Language (LI) refers to language or languages first learned

by a child, which he/she identifies with, is identified as a native language user of by others, which he/she

knows best, or uses most. This includes Filipino sign language used by individuals with pertinent disabilities.

The regional or native language refers to the traditional speech variety or variety of Filipino sign language

existing in a region, area or place.

SEC. 5. Curriculum Development. — The DepED shall formulate the design and details of the enhanced basic

education curriculum. It shall work with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to craft harmonized

basic and tertiary curricula for the global competitiveness of Filipino graduates. To ensure college readiness

and to avoid remedial and duplication of basic education subjects, the DepED shall coordinate with the CHED

and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

To achieve an effective enhanced basic education curriculum, the DepED shall undertake consultations with

other national government agencies and other stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Department of

Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the private and public

schools associations, the national student organizations, the national teacher organizations, the parents-teachers

associations and the chambers of commerce on matters affecting the concerned stakeholders.

The DepED shall adhere to the following standards and principles in developing the enhanced basic education

curriculum:

(a) The curriculum shall be learner-centered, inclusive and developmentally appropriate;

(b) The curriculum shall be relevant, responsive and research-based;

(c) The curriculum shall be culture-sensitive;

(d) The curriculum shall be contextualized and global;

(e) The curriculum shall use pedagogical approaches that are constructivist, inquiry-based, reflective,

collaborative and integrative;

(f) The curriculum shall adhere to the principles and framework of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual

Education (MTB-MLE) which starts from where the learners are and from what they already knew proceeding

from the known to the unknown; instructional materials and capable teachers to implement the MTB-MLE

curriculum shall be available;

(g) The curriculum shall use the spiral progression approach to ensure mastery of knowledge and skills after

each level; and

(h) The curriculum shall be flexible enough to enable and allow schools to localize, indigenize and enhance the

same based on their respective educational and social contexts. The production and development of locally

produced teaching materials shall be encouraged and approval of these materials shall devolve to the regional

and division education units.

SEC. 6. Curriculum Consultative Committee. — There shall be created a curriculum consultative committee

chaired by the DepED Secretary or his/her duly authorized representative and with members composed of, but

not limited to, a representative each from the CHED, the TESDA, the DOLE, the PRC, the Department of

Science and Technology (DOST), and a representative from the business chambers such as the Information

Technology – Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry association. The consultative committee shall

oversee the review and evaluation on the implementation of the basic education curriculum and may

recommend to the DepED the formulation of necessary refinements in the curriculum.

SEC. 7. Teacher Education and Training. — To ensure that the enhanced basic education program meets the

demand for quality teachers and school leaders, the DepED and the CHED, in collaboration with relevant

partners in government, academe, industry, and nongovernmental organizations, shall conduct teacher

education and training programs, as specified:

(a) In-service Training on Content and Pedagogy — Current DepED teachers shall be retrained to meet the

content and performance standards of the new K to 12 curriculum.

The DepED shall ensure that private education institutions shall be given the opportunity to avail of such

training.

(b) Training of New Teachers. — New graduates of the current Teacher Education curriculum shall undergo

additional training, upon hiring, to upgrade their skills to the content standards of the new curriculum.

Furthermore, the CHED, in coordination with the DepED and relevant stakeholders, shall ensure that the

Teacher Education curriculum offered in these Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) will meet necessary quality

standards for new teachers. Duly recognized organizations acting as TEIs, in coordination with the DepED, the

CHED, and other relevant stakeholders, shall ensure that the curriculum of these organizations meet the

necessary quality standards for trained teachers.

(c) Training of School Leadership. — Superintendents, principals, subject area coordinators and other

instructional school leaders shall likewise undergo workshops and training to enhance their skills on their role

as academic, administrative and community leaders.

Henceforth, such professional development programs as those stated above shall be initiated and conducted

regularly throughout the school year to ensure constant upgrading of teacher skills.

SEC. 8. Hiring of Graduates of Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering and Other Specialists in Subjects

With a Shortage of Qualified Applicants, Technical-Vocational Courses and Higher Education Institution

Faculty. — Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 26, 27 and 28 of Republic Act No. 7836, otherwise

known as the “Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994″, the DepED and private education

institutions shall hire, as may be relevant to the particular subject:

(a) Graduates of science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, music and other degree courses with shortages in

qualified Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) applicants to teach in their specialized subjects in the

elementary and secondary education. Qualified LET applicants shall also include graduates admitted by

foundations duly recognized for their expertise in the education sector and who satisfactorily complete the

requirements set by these organizations: Provided, That they pass the LET within five (5) years after their date

of hiring: Provided, further, That if such graduates are willing to teach on part-time basis, the provisions of

LET shall no longer be required;

(b) Graduates of technical-vocational courses to teach in their specialized subjects in the secondary

education: Provided, That these graduates possess the necessary certification issued by the TESDA: Provided,

further, That they undergo appropriate in-service training to be administered by the DepED or higher

education institutions (HEIs) at the expense of the DepED;

(c) Faculty of HEIs be allowed to teach in their general education or subject specialties in the secondary

education: Provided, That the faculty must be a holder of a relevant Bachelor’s degree, and must have

satisfactorily served as a full-time HEI faculty;

(d) The DepED and private education institutions may hire practitioners, with expertise in the specialized

learning areas offered by the Basic Education Curriculum, to teach in the secondary level; Provided, That they

teach on part-time basis only. For this purpose, the DepED, in coordination with the appropriate government

agencies, shall determine the necessary qualification standards in hiring these experts.

SEC. 9. Career Guidance and Counselling Advocacy. — To properly guide the students in choosing the career

tracks that they intend to pursue, the DepED, in coordination with the DOLE, the TESDA and the CHED, shall

regularly conduct career advocacy activities for secondary level students. Notwithstanding the provisions of

Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the “Guidance and Counselling Act of 2004″, career

and employment guidance counsellors, who are not registered and licensed guidance counsellors, shall be

allowed to conduct career advocacy activities to secondary level students of the school where they are

currently employed; Provided, That they undergo a training program to be developed or accredited by the

DepED.

SEC. 10. Expansion of E-GASTPE Beneficiaries. — The benefits accorded by Republic Act No. 8545, or the

“Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act”, shall be extended to

qualified students enrolled under the enhanced basic education.

The DepED shall engage the services of private education institutions and non-DepED schools offering senior

high school through the programs under Republic Act No. 8545, and other financial arrangements formulated

by the DepED and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) based on the principles of public-

private partnership.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Education shall include in the Department’s program the

operationalization of the enhanced basic education program, the initial funding of which shall be charged

against the current appropriations of the DepED. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued

implementation of the enhanced basic education program shall be included in the annual General

Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Transitory Provisions. — The DepED, the CHED and the TESDA shall formulate the appropriate

strategies and mechanisms needed to ensure smooth transition from the existing ten (10) years basic education

cycle to the enhanced basic education (K to 12) cycle. The strategies may cover changes in physical

infrastructure, manpower, organizational and structural concerns, bridging models linking grade 10

competencies and the entry requirements of new tertiary curricula, and partnerships between the government

and other entities. Modeling for senior high school may be implemented in selected schools to simulate the

transition process and provide concrete data for the transition plan.

To manage the initial implementation of the enhanced basic education program and mitigate the expected

multi-year low enrolment turnout for HEIs and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) starting School Year

2016-2017, the DepED shall engage in partnerships with HEIs and TVIs for the utilization of the latter’s

human and physical resources. Moreover, the DepED, the CHED, the TESDA, the TVIs and the HEIs shall

coordinate closely with one another to implement strategies that ensure the academic, physical, financial, and

human resource capabilities of HEIs and TVIs to provide educational and training services for graduates of the

enhanced basic education program to ensure that they are not adversely affected. The faculty of HEIs and TVIs

allowed to teach students of secondary education under Section 8 hereof, shall be given priority in hiring for

the duration of the transition period. For this purpose, the transition period shall be provided for in the

implementing rules and regulations (IRK).

SEC. 13. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Enhanced Basic Educational Program (K to 12

Program). — There is hereby created a Joint Oversight Committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the

implementation of this Act.

The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and from the House of

Representatives, including Chairs of the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, and Finance of both

Houses. The membership of the Committee for every House shall have at least two (2) opposition or minority

members.

SEC. 14. Mandatory Evaluation and Review. — By the end of School Year 2014-2015, the DepED shall

conduct a mandatory review and submit a midterm report to Congress as to the status of implementation of the

K to 12 program in terms of closing the following current shortages: (a) teachers; (b) classrooms; (c)

textbooks; (d) seats; (e) toilets; and (f) other shortages that should be addressed.

The DepED shall include among others, in this midterm report, the following key metrics of access to and

quality of basic education: (a) participation rate; (b) retention rate; (c) National Achievement Test results; (d)

completion rate; (e) teachers’ welfare and training profiles; (f) adequacy of funding requirements; and (g) other

learning facilities including, but not limited to, computer and science laboratories, libraries and library hubs,

and sports, music and arts.

SEC. 15. Commitment to International Benchmarks. — The DepED shall endeavor to increase the per capita

spending on education towards the immediate attainment of international benchmarks.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the

DepED Secretary, the CHED Chairperson and the TESDA Director-General shall promulgate the rules and

regulations needed for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall

not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. — Pertinent provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 or the “Education Act of

1982″, Republic Act No. 9155 or the “Governance of Basic Education.

Act of 2001″, Republic Act No. 9258, Republic Act No. 7836, and all other laws, decrees, executive orders

and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House

of Representatives

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE

President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3286 and House Bill No. 6643 was finally passed by the

Senate and the House of Representatives on January 30, 2013.

(Sgd.) MARILYN BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

(Sgd.) EDWIN B. BELEN

Acting Senate Secretary

Approved: MAY 15 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines