MALACAÑANG allayed public fears on Wednesday about the implementation of the K+12 program saying the Department of Education made an assurance that necessary preparations were made for the successful implementation of the program this year.
A lawmaker is pushing for the deferment of the implementation of the program citing lack of proper preparation of the education department particularly the shortage of books, classrooms, and training for teachers.
In a press conference in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he was able to discuss the K+12 program with some Bulacan school officials who said they are excited about it and the DepEd has successfully trained teachers for the program.
The K+12 is an innovation from the Department of Education primarily to comply with certain accords, Lacierda said as he cited the Washington accord, which requires the country to have a 12-year basic education.
Filipino professionals wouldn’t be accepted to enter the work place if the Philippines failed to comply with this requirement, Lacierda said. He also mentioned the Bologna accord that also calls for a similar compliance.
“These two treaties are international treaties. We are not signatories because we have not complied with the requirements provided in those accords. Kaya mahalaga po sa atin to come up or comply with international standards and for purposes also of employment abroad. should someone decide to seek employment abroad…,” he said.
Currently, there is a shortage of 50,000 classrooms in the country and Lacierda said the 20,000 will be built by the local government units, and the 30,000 will be bidded out by the government through public private partnership (PPP) under DepEd.
Aside from complying with the international standards, K+12 is important because it gives students options to immediately find employment should they choose not to enroll in college, Lacierda said.
The government inked several agreements with business organizations through the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry intended to absorb graduates under the K+12 program, he added. (PCOO)