The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of Basic Education [Six (6) years of primary education, Four (4) years of Junior High School, and Two (2) 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.
The K to 12 Basic Education Program is the flagship program of the Department of Education in its desire to offer a curriculum that is attuned to the 21st century. This is in pursuance of the reform thrusts of the Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda, a package of policy reforms that seek to systematically improve critical regulatory, institutional, structural, financial, cultural, physical, and informational conditions affecting basic education provision, access, and delivery on the ground. The Department seeks to create a basic education sector that is capable of attaining the country’s Education for All Objectives and the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015. These policy reforms are expected to introduce critical changes necessary to further accelerate, broaden, deepen, and sustain the Department’s effort in improving the quality of basic education.
K to 12 Implementation is a response to trade liberalization, the growing global market, international agreements such as the Bologna and Washington Accords have kept countries focused on the comparability of educational degrees. Filipino graduates need to develop a competitive advantage over others in the ASEAN region and in the world. Unfortunately, the ten-year basic education system handicaps overseas Filipino professionals competing in the world market. The Bologna Process requires 12 years of education for university admission and practice of the profession in European countries. On account of the Bologna Accord, starting in 2010, undergraduate degrees in the Philippines are no longer recognized in most European countries. The Washington Accord prescribes a minimum of 12 years of basic education as an entry to the recognition of engineering professionals. Obviously, the short basic education cycle is a deterrent in pursuing recent initiatives like the APEC and ASEAN mutual recognition projects. APEC or Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation is an international forum of 21 member economies that acts collectively to advance their common interests. APEC is committed to a policy of reducing barriers to trade and of being a vehicle for promoting economic cooperation within the Asia- Pacific Region. (Source: SEAMEO INNOTECH Study)
THE PHILIPPINE K TO 12 EDUCATION STANDARDS
- 1 Year Kindergarten
- 6 Years Elementary
- 4 Years of Junior High School
- 2 Years of Senior High School

AGE REQUIREMENTS
- AGE 05: Kindergarten
- AGE 06: Grade 1
- AGE 07: Grade 2
- AGE 08: Grade 3
- AGE 09: Grade 4
- AGE 10: Grade 5
- AGE 11: Grade 6
- AGE 12: Grade 7 (First Year Junior High School)
- AGE 13: Grade 8 (Second Year Junior High School)
- AGE 14: Grade 9 (Third Year Junior High School)
- AGE 15: Grade 10 (Fourth Year Junior High School)
- AGE 16: Grade 11 (First Year SENIOR High School)
- AGE 17: Grade 12 (Second Year SENIOR High School)
CURRICULUM
- Department of Education Prescribed Curriculum
Outcome Goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
The K to 12 Basic Education Program seeks to realize the following:
- Philippine education standards to be at par with international standards;
- more emotionally mature graduates equipped with technical and/ or vocational skills who are better prepared for work, middle-level skills development and higher education;
- significantly addressed shortages or gaps in educational inputs (teacher items, school head items, classrooms, instructional materials) addressed significantly;
- broadened and strengthened stakeholders’ support in the improvement of basic education outcomes;
- improved internal efficiency;
- improved system of governance in the Department;
- improved quality of teachers;
Outcome Goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
The K to 12 Basic Education Program seeks to realize the following:
- Philippine education standards to be at par with international standards;
- more emotionally mature graduates equipped with technical and/ or vocational skills who are better prepared for work, middle-level skills development and higher education;
- significantly addressed shortages or gaps in educational inputs (teacher items, school head items, classrooms, instructional materials) addressed significantly;
- broadened and strengthened stakeholders’ support in the improvement of basic education outcomes;
- improved internal efficiency;
- improved system of governance in the Department;
- improved quality of teachers;
Process Goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
- Decongest and reform the basic education curriculum in coordination with CHED, TESDA and other education stakeholders;
- Develop culture-sensitive, culture-responsive and developmentally appropriate print/non-print online learning resources for K to 12;
- Conduct in-service training for teachers relative to the implementation of the K to 12 curricula;
- Focus on integrated instruction to equip learners with skills for future employment, critical and creative thinking, and life skills;
- Universalize kindergarten by 2012;
- Institutionalize school-based management for school empowerment;
- Institute reform in assessment framework and practice for a learner-centered basic education;
- Address basic input shortages in classrooms, teachers, textbooks;
- Promote good education governance in the entire Department of Education;
- Pursue legislation to institutionalize K to 12 Basic Education Program;
- Formulate a transition management plan for the K to 12 implementations by including modeling per region per specialization;
- Identify K to 12 model schools per region and per specialization tracks that will model senior high school by SY 2012-2013.
The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of Basic Education [Six (6) years of primary education, Four (4) years of Junior High School, and Two (2) 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.
The K to 12 Basic Education Program is the flagship program of the Department of Education in its desire to offer a curriculum that is attuned to the 21st century. This is in pursuance of the reform thrusts of the Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda, a package of policy reforms that seek to systematically improve critical regulatory, institutional, structural, financial, cultural, physical, and informational conditions affecting basic education provision, access, and delivery on the ground. The Department seeks to create a basic education sector that is capable of attaining the country’s Education for All Objectives and the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015. These policy reforms are expected to introduce critical changes necessary to further accelerate, broaden, deepen, and sustain the Department’s effort in improving the quality of basic education.
K to 12 Implementation is a response to trade liberalization, the growing global market, international agreements such as the Bologna and Washington Accords have kept countries focused on the comparability of educational degrees. Filipino graduates need to develop a competitive advantage over others in the ASEAN region and in the world. Unfortunately, the ten-year basic education system handicaps overseas Filipino professionals competing in the world market. The Bologna Process requires 12 years of education for university admission and practice of the profession in European countries. On account of the Bologna Accord, starting in 2010, undergraduate degrees in the Philippines are no longer recognized in most European countries. The Washington Accord prescribes a minimum of 12 years of basic education as an entry to the recognition of engineering professionals. Obviously, the short basic education cycle is a deterrent in pursuing recent initiatives like the APEC and ASEAN mutual recognition projects. APEC or Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation is an international forum of 21 member economies that acts collectively to advance their common interests. APEC is committed to a policy of reducing barriers to trade and of being a vehicle for promoting economic cooperation within the Asia- Pacific Region. (Source: SEAMEO INNOTECH Study)
THE PHILIPPINE K TO 12 EDUCATION STANDARDS
- 1 Year Kindergarten
- 6 Years Elementary
- 4 Years of Junior High School
- 2 Years of Senior High School
AGE REQUIREMENTS
- AGE 05: Kindergarten
- AGE 06: Grade 1
- AGE 07: Grade 2
- AGE 08: Grade 3
- AGE 09: Grade 4
- AGE 10: Grade 5
- AGE 11: Grade 6
- AGE 12: Grade 7 (First Year Junior High School)
- AGE 13: Grade 8 (Second Year Junior High School)
- AGE 14: Grade 9 (Third Year Junior High School)
- AGE 15: Grade 10 (Fourth Year Junior High School)
- AGE 16: Grade 11 (First Year SENIOR High School)
- AGE 17: Grade 12 (Second Year SENIOR High School)
CURRICULUM
- Department of Education Prescribed Curriculum
Outcome Goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
The K to 12 Basic Education Program seeks to realize the following:
- Philippine education standards to be at par with international standards;
- more emotionally mature graduates equipped with technical and/ or vocational skills who are better prepared for work, middle-level skills development and higher education;
- significantly addressed shortages or gaps in educational inputs (teacher items, school head items, classrooms, instructional materials) addressed significantly;
- broadened and strengthened stakeholders’ support in the improvement of basic education outcomes;
- improved internal efficiency;
- improved system of governance in the Department;
- improved quality of teachers;
Outcome Goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
The K to 12 Basic Education Program seeks to realize the following:
- Philippine education standards to be at par with international standards;
- more emotionally mature graduates equipped with technical and/ or vocational skills who are better prepared for work, middle-level skills development and higher education;
- significantly addressed shortages or gaps in educational inputs (teacher items, school head items, classrooms, instructional materials) addressed significantly;
- broadened and strengthened stakeholders’ support in the improvement of basic education outcomes;
- improved internal efficiency;
- improved system of governance in the Department;
- improved quality of teachers;
Process Goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
- Decongest and reform the basic education curriculum in coordination with CHED, TESDA and other education stakeholders;
- Develop culture-sensitive, culture-responsive and developmentally appropriate print/non-print online learning resources for K to 12;
- Conduct in-service training for teachers relative to the implementation of the K to 12 curricula;
- Focus on integrated instruction to equip learners with skills for future employment, critical and creative thinking, and life skills;
- Universalize kindergarten by 2012;
- Institutionalize school-based management for school empowerment;
- Institute reform in assessment framework and practice for a learner-centered basic education;
- Address basic input shortages in classrooms, teachers, textbooks;
- Promote good education governance in the entire Department of Education;
- Pursue legislation to institutionalize K to 12 Basic Education Program;
- Formulate a transition management plan for the K to 12 implementations by including modeling per region per specialization;
- Identify K to 12 model schools per region and per specialization tracks that will model senior high school by SY 2012-2013.
ENDNOTES & REFERENCES:
•The K to 12 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM, Department of Education (DepEd), (as of March 12, 2012)
•SEAMEO INNOTECH Study
•Batomalaque, Antonio. Basic Science Development Program of the Philippines for International Cooperation. The University of San Carlos.; Marinas, Bella, and Ditapat, Maria. Philippines: Curriculum and Development. UNESCO International Bureau of Education
•International Engineering Alliance. The Washington Accord. http://www.washingtonaccord.org/Washington-Accord/FAQ.cfm (Accessed 11 September 2010)
FAQs
What is the overview of K to 12 curriculum in the Philippines? ›
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, ...
What is the Philippines educational system an overview? ›Education in the Philippines is offered through formal and non-formal systems. Formal education typically spans 14 years and is structured in a 6+4+4 system: 6 years of primary school education, 4 years of secondary school education, and 4 years of higher education, leading to a bachelor's degree.
What could be the advantages of K to 12 to the Philippine education system? ›The K-12 system strengthens students' foundation in crucial subjects and skills, including math, science, language, and social sciences. K-12 education also helps students master basic skills like reading and writing, which are crucial in attaining higher education and the job market.
What is the impact of the K to 12 curriculum to the Filipinos? ›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.
K-12 education is the foundation of a student's academic career. It provides the basic knowledge and skills necessary for success in college and the workplace. K-12 education also plays an important role in developing responsible citizens and preparing young people for the challenges of adulthood.
What is the content standard of the K-12 curriculum? ›A content standard in education is a statement that can be used to judge the quality of curriculum content or as part of a method of evaluation. K-12 standards should clearly describe the specific content that should be taught and learned during the K-12 years, grade by grade.
What is the biggest problem facing our educational system today in the Philippines? ›“The lack of school infrastructure and resources to support the ideal teaching process is the most pressing issue pounding the Philippine basic education,” she said. She presented the latest government inventory which shows that out of 327,851 school buildings in the country, only 104,536 are in good condition.
Is Philippines education system good? ›A beautiful nation, the Philippines has a top-quality higher education system. The country attracts over 5,000 international students every year and has more than 2,000 universities and colleges.
What is the Philippine educational system in American era? ›There were three levels of education during the American period. The "elementary" level consisted of four primary years and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school level consisted of four years; and the third was the "college" or tertiary level.
What factors make the K to 12 succeed? ›- Performing regular checks for student understanding.
- Articulating clear objectives and directions for the lesson.
- Developing students' metacognitive skills required for learning.
How is K-12 implemented in the Philippines? ›
The implementation of the K-12 system began in the 2012/13 academic year, which means that the first full cohort of students to go through the whole K-12 system will graduate from high school in 2024.
What is the curriculum in the Philippines before K-12? ›What was Philippine basic education like before K to 12? Before World War II, the Philippines had an 11-year basic education cycle: grades 1 to 7 for elementary, and 4 years of high school.
Is K-12 in the Philippines effective? ›Citing a 2020 discussion paper by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Gatchalian said that while the K-12 program promised to boost employability among senior high school graduates, only a little over 20 percent of SHS graduates enter the labor force while 70 percent continue with their education.
Did the K to 12 curriculum improve the Philippine educational system? ›K to 12 Led to Higher Quality Education in the Philippines
With full funding for instructional programs and facilities that will build students' skills and knowledge, DepEd intended to make senior high graduates employable even without a college education.
The DepEd is reviewing the K-12 program, which was introduced during the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III.
What kind of curriculum design influence mostly the K to 12 curriculum? ›Subject-centered curriculum design
This model of curriculum design tends to focus on the subject, rather than the student. It is the most common model of standardized curriculum that can be found in K-12 public schools.
The primary goals is education is to socialized the young along society's beliefs, values, social norms, skills and knowledge for the preservation of the existing social order.
What are examples of K-12 curriculum? ›In a broad sense, K-12 Curriculum can refer to the courses or subjects taught in school. For example, in the early elementary or primary grades, the curriculum usually includes courses in reading, writing, and mathematics. It may also include courses in social studies, science, music, art, and/or physical education.
What are the disadvantages of K-12 in the Philippines? ›8 Disadvantages of K12 Education
A prolonged beyond the usual tedious or longer years in school (plus 2 years). Extending for a considerable distance than what's necessary. Graduates take time to produce and are two years older (23 years old instead of 21 before).
- Supporting K to 12. ...
- Giving Free College Education. ...
- Building more Public Math and Science School. ...
- Instituting a National Feeding Program. ...
- Higher Teacher's Salary. ...
- Continuous Teacher Education. ...
- Pushing for Alternative Education.
What are the main challenges in Philippine education? ›
In SY 2020–2021, close to four million students were unable to enroll. Of that number, around 50 percent of out-of-school youths were found to belong to families who were within the bottom 30 percent of the population in terms of income. Poor quality of education has resulted in low proficiency levels among students.
Where is Philippines ranked in education? ›Philippines ranks 77th out of 132 countries in 2022 Global Knowledge Index. The Philippines placed 77th among 132 countries of a London-based nonprofit's 2022 Global Knowledge Index, which assesses a nation's expertise in terms of education, innovation, knowledge, economy, technology, and research and development.
Where does the Philippines education rank in the world? ›Country | Rank (2021) | Rank (2020) |
---|---|---|
Belarus | 52 | 51 |
Slovenia | 53 | 41 |
Indonesia | 54 | 55 |
Philippines | 55 | 52 |
Yes, in general college academics in the US are most likely much easier than the Phillippines. I would go as far to say that academics in the US at all levels (except the pHD level) in any major (except English) would be easier than the Philippines.
Is Philippine education system similar to America? ›In short, schools in the Philippines have stricter management than of the United States. In the Philippines, every grade level is divided from each other and students from the same grade levels are divided into sections based on who excels the most or their final average grade from the year before.
What are the American influences in the Philippines? ›English was introduced as the official language; the education system reformed; port, rail, and road-building programs initiated; and war-damaged settlements rebuilt. Notably, Western architecture and urban planning forms were introduced as part of this “national development” process.
How did the educational system in the Philippines developed? ›The Decree of Education in 1863 established the first ever educational system in the Philippines. It required the government to provide school institutions for boys and girls in every town. Given the situation, the Spanish schools started accepting Filipino students.
What are the key elements of K-12? ›- Accessible two-way communication. ...
- Resources, with a focus on timeliness. ...
- Only authentic engagement. ...
- Supportive environment and training.
At a very basic level, each learning style defines the type of learning it represents. Visual learners learn by best seeing, Auditory by listening or speaking, Reading/Writing prefer to read and take notes, and Kinesthetic learners learn best by moving and doing.
What is the meaning of curriculum implementation? ›Curriculum implementation therefore refers to how the planned or officially designed course of study is translated by the teacher into syllabuses, schemes of work and lessons to be delivered to students. The implementation, as an essential part of curriculum development, brings into existence the anticipated changes.
What is the current curriculum in the Philippines? ›
The current K-12 program in the Philippines, which was implemented in 2012, covers kindergarten, six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school to prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment and entrepreneurship.
When did K-12 curriculum start in the Philippines? ›In 2012 the Philippines launched its "K to 12" Program, a comprehensive reform of its basic education. Through this reform, the Philippines is catching up with global standards in secondary education and is attaching a high value to kindergarten.
What is the education in the Philippines today? ›Education is compulsory for all children, and free public education is provided for pre-elementary, elementary, and high school. Schooling is divided into pre-elementary school, primary education, called elementary school, and secondary education, divided into junior high school and senior high school.
Is the Philippines the only country without K-12? ›Only country in Asia with 10 years of basic education
– Before implementing K-12, the Philippines was the last Asian country and one of only three nations in the world with 10 years of basic education. The new system, which follows a global standard, will put Filipino students at par with the rest of the world.
Basic Education Report 2023 unveils major challenges facing Philippine schools. Basic Education Report 2023 highlights major challenges facing Philippine schools, including a lack of facilities, declining enrollment in private schools, and poor learning outcomes.
What is your perception on the implementation of K to 12 curriculum? ›On the contrary, they still felt there were some areas needing improvements and concerns, like as: K to 12 programs was expensive, poor, lacking in sufficient facilities, classrooms and laboratory equipment; delays in salary, and insufficient numbers of teachers in Senior High School.
How will the K-12 curriculum make the Philippines globally competitive? ›It allows them to further improve the skills they need to perform better in higher academic activities and technical pursuits. For instance, doing well in math, science and languages are seen as good indicators of global competitiveness. Second, K-12 is designed to give holistic education.
What is the K to 12 reform in the Philippines? ›A landmark curricular reform in Philippine basic education is the K to 12 program – ensconced in RA 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. The 10-year basic education program is extended by the addition of Grades 11-12 or Senior High School.
Why is K-12 important in the Philippines? ›The K-12 system strengthens students' foundation in crucial subjects and skills, including math, science, language, and social sciences. K-12 education also helps students master basic skills like reading and writing, which are crucial in attaining higher education and the job market.
Which two presidents are responsible for the implementation of K-12 in the Philippines? ›Aquino, the third-youngest person elected president, is the only son of the 11th president, Corazon Aquino, and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Aquino reformed the country's basic education system by establishing the K-12 program.
What is the history of K-12 in the Philippines? ›
In 2013, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, otherwise known as the K-12 Law, passed into legislation. It was an educational policy lobbied by President Benigno Aquino III. It involved major reforms in Philippine Education that resulted to a twelve-year basic education program.
When did K to 12 program started in the Philippines? ›In 2012 the Philippines launched its "K to 12" Program, a comprehensive reform of its basic education. Through this reform, the Philippines is catching up with global standards in secondary education and is attaching a high value to kindergarten.
What is an example of a recommended curriculum in the Philippines? ›For example, in the Philippines, the curriculum being implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is an example of a recommended curriculum.
Who proposed K-12 in the Philippines? ›The DepEd is reviewing the K-12 program, which was introduced during the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III.
Is K-12 curriculum really helps students in the Philippines? ›Unlike the previous education system, K to 12 offers more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Many schools in the Philippines are slowly implementing this. Graduates of the new system can instantly get a job after they receive their certificates and passing competency-based assessments.
What is the quality of education in the Philippines? ›Based on the PISA released on December 3, 2019, the Philippines scored the lowest among 79 countries in reading comprehension. In terms of mathematics and science, the Philippines ranked second-lowest. Studies have identified several issues with the implementation of these reforms.
What is the curriculum during American period in the Philippines? ›There were three levels of education during the American period. The "elementary" level consisted of four primary years and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school level consisted of four years; and the third was the "college" or tertiary level. Religion was not part of the curriculum of the schools.
Why does school curriculum in the Philippines is important? ›Filipino parents value education as one of the most important legacies they can impart to their children. They believe that having a better education opens opportunities that would ensure a good future and eventually lift them out of poverty.
What is an example of education system in the Philippines? ›The educational ladder in the Philippines has a 6-4-4 structure, that is, six years of elementary or primary education (some private schools require seven years), four years of high school or secondary education, and another four years of higher education for a degree program (except for some courses like Engineering, ...