CEAP: PHL has to face K to 12 challenges

The Philippines cannot run from the challenges posed by the K to 12 program that will add two years to basic education, a group of Catholic educators said.

Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines president Jun Erguiza said running away from K to 12 will negatively affect the quality of education in the Philippines.

“We are no Mayweather. We will win not by running away from the challenges that come our way. We will throw our punches and claim our coveted dream of reforming the basic education system,” Erguiza said, according to an article on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.

“We have to make this happen. Our nation, our people cannot afford to delay this any further,” added Erguiza who chairs the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associates.

In his speech, he referred to American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who won over Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao in their bout last May 3.

Mayweather had been criticized for "running away" from Pacquiao during the fight.

Erguiza said this is the opportune time for reform which has been sounded off more than four decades ago.

He allayed fears that K to 12 may displace tertiary faculty and staff, and lead to the closure of some schools.

Still, he admitted the implementation of K to 12 “cannot be free from any form of disruption and confusion.”

“It would be foolish to demand a foolproof game plan for the transition,” he said, adding K-12 will let Filipino children be more globally competitive.

“The K to 12 Act is not for the women and men of today. It is for our children to go beyond what we have achieved,” he added. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News