REPUBLIC Act (RA) No. 10533, otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 had already paved way for the first Graduation Ceremony of the regular run of the Senior HS Program where TVL graduates had their National Certificate II (NC II) and those in academic courses fully ready to embrace higher education in the tertiary level (results of which will be known further through a research that should be done nationwide).
On October 9, a decision of the Supreme Court signed by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, ruled that the K to 12 law was “duly enacted,” as “it adequately provides the legislative policy that it seeks to implement.”
Consequently, the decision declared that its related issuances including RA No. 10157 or the Kindergarten Education Act, and DepEd Order (DO) No. 31, s. 2012 entitled, “Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Grades 1 to 10 of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum,” are all constitutional.
The 94-page SC decision also stated that “more than a year prior to the adoption of DO No. 31, and contrary to petitioners’ assertions, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted regional consultations and focus group discussions, participated by students, parents, teachers and administrators, government representatives, and representatives from private schools and private sector to elicit opinions, thoughts and suggestions about the K to 12 basic education.”
The DepEd through Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones is confident that the Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of RA 10533, shall pave the way not only to the achievement of basic education objectives, but also of social development goals.
The Secretary further expressed her high hopes for the future of the country’s biggest education reform to date, as well as for the future of the country: “The Supreme Court (SC) ruling empowers us to better deliver quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education to the Filipino learners whom we are sworn to serve.”
The Education Chief said that the Department shall continue amplifying our efforts to produce 21st century graduates equipped with the core values and lifelong competencies they need to contribute to societal development and nation-building – the very goal of the K to 12 program.
She also acknowledged the initial efforts carried out by former DepEd secretary, Bro. Armin Luistro, who was the main man of the Department when the K to 12 was enacted into law under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III.
The Secretary further acknowledged that his administration’s determination and unwavering commitment built a strong foundation for the full implementation of this reform, especially the two additional years of Senior High School (SHS) which provide graduates with four exits and life options namely employment, entrepreneurship, higher education, and middle-level skills development.
The Duterte Administration completes the full implementation of the K to 12 Program as an education reform as it committed to and continues to expand and intensify the Alternative Learning System (ALS). Considered as a priority education program of the administration, ALS is a step in the direction of the Philippines’ commitment to the Philippine Education for All Plan of Action for out-of-school youth and adults.
With the graduation of the first 1.2 million SHS learners in 2018, the Department affirms that the reform is on the right track.
Briones acknowledged that with any journey, there will always be pitfalls and gaps that need to be filled, especially given the continuously shifting socio-political and economic conditions of the country but the challenges do not discredit our milestones citing DepEd’s successful efforts to fine-tune the program, and continuous identification of ways forward together with its many stakeholders.
The Secretary in conclusion said that while the Department acknowledge the criticisms of various groups and individuals, DepEd continuously call on all members of the society to support our goal of being at par with the rest of the world through the K to 12 Program.
This Corner hopes that with the finality of the decision made, instead of further challenging its legality, the group instead should focus on how they could be of help in realizing the full potential of our youth as they journey to play their roles in nation building.