When the Philippines faced the change in the school system in 2016, it has gone through so many trials. As a result, we went through a dire makeover in our education. In the meantime, a few learners still feel this shift to K to 12. Pioneers of the system, though, will soon step up with the skills they have learned. So, you, as a senior high school student who craves to raise up your education, can choose your own path. The K to 12 tracks and strands, however, aim to give you ample mastery of skills, learning, and readiness to help you join the workforce or move on to college.

What is K-12 program?

The K to 12 Program 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.

To prove that K-12 system is more than just adding two more years to high school, below are three of the many practical benefits of schooling under a 13-year education cycle:

1. Preparedness for tertiary learning – With adaptation of K-12 scheme, students are expected to graduate at age a bit older than past graduates’. This is an advantage, according to DepEd, as graduates will be considered young adults. Hence, they will be more equipped to deal with much higher level of learning as they enter college education.
2. Readiness to join the workforce – Unlike the old system, K-12 does not compel each student to take college after completing Senior High School (SHS). In fact, this scheme empowers students to make a choice on their own. They may not pursue college education especially if they have chosen a track other than academic track. The good thing is SHS graduates will be equipped with skills (through electives) that will make them good at certain field(s).
3. Skill competency in the global job market – K-12 system aims to improve Filipino students’ mathematical, scientific, and linguistic competence. With the new curriculum, DepEd promised to offer higher quality education through tracks. Each track will give students enough time to master a field and enhance their skills. In the end, K-12 graduates will become globally competitive and are set to obtain spot in the stiff labor market.