Youth lawmaker wants probe into implementation of K-12 program

Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago on Saturday said she will seek an investigation into  the first two years of implementation of the government's "K to 12" program.

"Kailangan mapag-aralan ang unang dalawang taong implementasyon ng K to 12 dahil ngayon papasok na rin ang unang batch ng senior high school graduates sa college. Sila ay papasok na pero missing ang mga pag-aaral kung papano na-implement ang [program]," Elago said at a news forum in Quezon City.

Citing data from the Department of Education, the party-list lawmaker said close to one million students opted not to proceed to grade 12.

The K to 12 program, institutionalized under the Brnigno Aquino III administration, has kindergarten as the base and added grades 11 and 12 or senior high school to the previous system of six years of elementary and four years of high school.

Elago said students were discouraged to finish the senior high school program due to the "failed" voucher program.

Under the voucher program, students are provided with a subsidy that enables them to get a discount on the cost of tuition and other school fees for their senior high school studies.

Elago is set to file a resolution to investigate the implementation of the voucher program for senior high school.

"Itong voucher program hindi rin siya nag-work kasi dapat 'yan wala nang ilalabas ang mga magulang at mga estudyante dahil supposedly 'yan na ang magco-cover sa kanilang school fees, ngunit napakaraming surprise fees."

She said she will also look into the "bridge program" being offered in some colleges for senior high school graduates for them pursue their chosen courses.

"Bakit meron pang bridge program? Nagdagdag na nga ng dalawang taon, meron pang dagdag na bridge program para 'yung mga naka-enroll sa track na hindi related sa kanilang kurso ay makatuloy-tuloy sa kanilang kurso na pinili?" she said. —LBG, GMA News