Parents’ group to petition Supreme Court to stop K to 12

A group of parents from private and public schools will petition the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which gave birth to the controversial K-12 program that extends high school education by two years.

 

In a phone interview with GMA News Online on Saturday, Rey Vargas, founding chairman of the Parents for Children’s Education (PACE), said the group questions the legality of Republic Act 10533 as it did not go through the correct process before it was enacted by President Benigno Aquino III.

 

He claimed that parents, who are the primary stakeholders in the program, were not at all consulted.
 

He added that the parents fear the number of dropouts would increase because of the additional cost of two extra years in school.

 

"Baka lalo pang dumami ang dropouts dahil sa dagdag gastos sa tuition," he said.

 

He added that the two extra years is high school are no guarantee that students would perform better.

 

"Unang-una, alam naman nating ang mga Pilipino, magagaling kahit 10 taon lang [ang education system] sa bansa, kung ikukumpara sa ibang bansa na 12 years," he said.

 

"Walang guarantee na kung magkaroon ng dagdag 2 years, gagaling na," he said. 

 

The Department of Education said on its website that a "12-year program is found to be the adequate period for learning under basic education" and is a standard for recognition of students and professionals abroad.

 

He added that the K-12 program is not the answer to having quality education.

 

"Kung quality of education ang habol, hindi guarantee ang dagdag dalawang taon," he said. "Sana i-improve na lang ang facilities, teacher trainings, maraming puwede gawin, puwede rin namang dagdagan ang subjects o dagdagan ang school hours."

 

He noted that the government may deprive students the opportunity to find work.

 

"Sa halip na nagtatrabaho na, nag-aaral lang sila," he said. "Superficial lang 'yang extra two years."

Signature drive

 

Meanwhile, Vargas said the group is now urging other parents "to speak up" against the K to 12 program.

 

He noted that some parents may be hesitant to speak up as it may have adverse effects to their children.

 

"Baka takot sila sa mga principal ng kanilang mga anak," he said. "Pero nananawagan kami sa mga magulang na magsalita, panahon na."

 

He noted that in their petition, which they will file on April 20, they will attach signatures of parents in support of their request.

 

"Nagsimula kami noong Holy Monday, at sa ngayon, mayroon na kaming 10,000 signatures," he said, adding that their members have been going around different barangays nationwide to gather signatures.

 

In March, aministration ally Senator Antonio Trillanes IV urged Aquino and the Supreme Court to suspend the implementation of the K to 12 education program.

 

"Nanawagan ako kay PNoy [at sa] Supreme Court para ipa-suspend ang K to 12 dahil hindi pa handa ang ang ating public education system at hindi talaga kaya ng mahihirap na magulang magpaaral pa ng dagdag na two years sa high school," he said in a text message to GMA News Online. — JDS, GMA News