DepEd starts orientation for K+12 education program

The Department of Education (DepEd) has started orienting its employees for the first phase of implementation of the k+12 basic education program. The DepEd said 171 of their employees from different central offices attended the orientation on the features of the program and issues arising from its implementation. The first phase of the project will start this coming school year (SY) 2011-2012, with the implementation of the universal kindergarten program, where children as young as 5 years old can enroll. Among the issues raised during the orientation were: (1) if there should be a new curriculum for elementary and high school students; (2) how the shortage of classrooms and instructional materials could be addressed; and (3) if it is was possible for the DepEd, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to work together for a continuous program. The K+ 12 program includes kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. The two additional years in high school will be used for in-depth specialization for students depending on the occupation/career track they wish to pursue. “We need to add two more years to our basic education curriculum so as to uplift the country’s standard of education. The program will help the country to cope up with the fast pace of globalization," said Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Alberto Muyot. Aside from Muyot, the other DepEd officials who served as resource speakers were: