K to 12 is more than just..

K to 12 is more than just... (Day 35)

by Rey Laguda

(This is the  35th day of 50-day journey of DepEd Undersecretary Rey Laguda as being serialized here with his permission, culled from his Facebook account - Blogger/owner

Innovations don't always have to be big. At the school level, there are many things that make learning happen. As we visited Naval School of Fisheries in Biliran yesterday, we had the chance to chat with some teachers about what they did during school opening. Mr. Albert Sucalip, a teacher previously from a State University, said that the Daily Lesson Logs proved very useful for him and that the class was quite engaged for their first day. He was already discussing operations on algebraic expressions on Day 1 with his students enrolled under STEM.

In San Roque Elementary School in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, their morning physical exercise was also a math exercise. The multiplication table was recited as they went through routine calisthenics. With the help of donors, the school was given a major facelift. The school makes sure that it maintains the facilities and keep it clean and conducive for learning. Ms. Elma Duterte had her curriculum guides for Gr 5 tabbed and lesson plans in order.

Confab on Grade Two K-to-12 Implementation

While the Brigada Eskwela kicked off this day, the mass training of teachers for the implementation of the Grade II and K to 12 Basic Education curriculum took off too. Fifty-seven teacher-participants joined this 5-day training conducted by the Division of La Carlota City.

The grade two teachers representing the 23 elementary schools and one SPED teachers had equipped themselves of a heightened understanding of their subject area content, assessment and instructional strategies. Their teaching skills were also enhanced in the preparation of assessment tools that will measure student learning. And they were provided with a venue for sharing of effective pedagogical practices through professional learning communities.

K to 12 Now a Law

Educators, parents, and other stakeholders concerned are aware that there are "myriad changes" to be undertaken in the present education system of the Philippines particularly in the basic education in elementary and secondary.

President of the Philippines himself who is strongly advocated this K+12 curriculum said in a statement, "We need to add two years to our basic education. Those who can afford pay up to fourteen years of schooling before university. Thus, their children are getting into the best universities and best jobs after graduation. I want at least 12 years for our public school children to give them an even chance of succeeding."

K to 12: 'Let's Do it!'

The Division of La Carlota prepares the Grade One teachers of the 24 elementary schools here for the implementation of K to 12 curriculum for this school year 2012 - 2013 in 5-day seminar-workshop at the conference hall of the said division.

Mallorca

The Challenge

"We're the only chosen few. Let's do it!"

Portia M. Mallorca, officer-in-charge of the Division of La Carlota challenged the 62 grade one teachers during their 5-day seminar-workshop on K to 12 curriculum implementation culmination program.

"Five days of training are not enough for you. You can do more. I know you can do it. I have the confidence to all of you," strongly expressed Ma'm Mallorca.

La Carlota Ready To Implement K to 12

The Division of La Carlota had already started its 5-day live-out in-service training for Grade 1 teachers Monday. The teacher-participants come  from 23 public elementary schools to be ready in implementing the K to 12 curriculum this school year 2012-2013.

K to 12 Curriculum

K to 12 Basic Education Program

The Department of Education has surveyed that most of PH graduates are not yet ready to be globally competitive. They've no sufficient skills for work and they're not yet even ready or prepared to pursue their higher education.

To properly address this inadequacy, the Department of Education introduced the K to 12 program which is to be adopted for it "covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school [SHS]) 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." (source: K to 12 Basic Education Program)