Makabayan bloc seeks probe into status of K to 12 implementation

The seven-member Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives on Thursday filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the status of the implementation of the K to 12 program.

In House Resolution 1887, the progressive lawmakers pointed out that the K to 12 program brought about a "myriad of issues" as reported by teacher and other school personnel, parents and students themselves.

These issues include shortages of classrooms and school equipment which force teachers, parents and students to spend out of their own pockets only to make them available.

"Ang House Resolution na ito ay sana makapag-imbestiga kung ano ang nangyari na dito sa mga graduate natin," ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, one of the authors of the resolution, told reporters at a press conference.

"Sinasabi ng Department of Education na tagumpay yung first batch ng K-12 pero ano na yung nangyari sa mga graduates nito? Saan na sila pupunta?" she added.

The lawmakers also noted the issue on the employability of the K to 12 graduates, which is now in question due to statements from the business community regarding the lack of job readiness or competence for employment of the first batch of graduates of the program.

"Sabi nila noon na kapag nakagraduate ka na ng senior high, puwede ka na magtrabaho. Pero sa katotohanan ngayon, wala namang tumatanggap ng graduate lang ng senior high. Dagdag-pasanin lang yun, dagdag-gastos," said Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate.

"Dapat kung nag-aral sila, second year college na sila at dalawang taon na lang ay makapagtapos na sila ng kolehiyo. Pero ngayon, kung papalarin, papasok sila ng kolehiyo, apat na taon pa uli ang bubunuin nila," he added.

The lawmakers stressed that Congress needs to look into the issues of the K to 12 program in order to make the right of every Filipino to education real.

The K to 12 program was implemented in pursuant to the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which mandates basic education to encompass one year of kindergarten education, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school. — RSJ, GMA News