LINGAYEN— Millions of parents believe they have found an ally in one senator in their concern about the implication of the K -12 educational system to their financial resources.

“The intention is good but the timing is wrong…and parents are not assured of a quality education for their children in spite of additional costs,” said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who spoke in a national forum for school principals held here last week.

He urged the Department of Education to keep other options open alongside the implementation of the new K-12 program, which started this school year.

Cayetano called on the DepEd “not to be fixated on one model in improving the basic education system” as he pointed to the limitations and constraints of the national government in implementing the K-12 system including continuing shortages in classroom, books and training of teachers.

“Before we finalize (our program), is it bad if we also talk about other models and… why don’t we try other options?,” Cayetano said during the 32^nd PESPA Elementary Principals Development Program and National Board Conference at the Sison Auditorium Tuesday.

The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2012, popularly known as K-12 or K+12, expands the country’s education program with a required kindergarten and an additional two years in the secondary level to give students specialized courses of their choice in business and entrepreneurship, humanities and arts, technical-vocational courses, or academics.

LIMITATIONS

Cayetano said while the K-12 is well intended and is being given strong support by the Aquino administration with a considerable increase in the national budget, there is still not enough funding for the extent of the shift to the K-12 program.

“With two additional years, you will need additional P60-billion a year aside from the backlog of students,” Cayetano said.

And even if the shortage of classrooms is addressed by next year, he said there are many other facilities including teachers’ salaries that need to be addressed.

“…we still don’t have science, laboratory, computer rooms or libraries in many schools and other vital equipment,” said Cayetano, adding, “K-12 has information computer technology but in the Philippines, some areas do not even have electricity yet.”

Cayetano also cited the adjustment period, adding that “if indeed the 6-4-2 model is okay, can’t we just have two years in Kindergarten initially or can’t we have the 7-4 model or 6-3-2 model?” he pointed out, noting that the most important learning age of a child is the first six years.

“K-12 good on paper but there would eventually be higher percentage of drop out rate because of (the limited) financial resources of parents sending their children to school for two more years,” he added.

The senator also underscored the need to consider regional differences around the country.—Eva Visperas

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