Welcoming the K to 12

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It is heartening to note that the League of Cities of the Philippines has expressed its support to the implementation of the K to 12 program of the Department of Education. The country's mayors expressed their views on the reform that is being adopted in the educational system of the country that is aimed at putting our graduates at par with those of other countries in the world.

The move of the mayors to come out and declare openly their backing of the measure was undoubtedly made because of recent developments where some groups have come out scoring the changes, citing the expense, the delays, and also the alleged deprivation of thousands of teachers of their present jobs.

Already, the government has started seriously the preparations for the implementation of the K to 12 program, that calls for two additional years to the present four of high school in our country.

The move was proposed and adopted when it was determined that graduates of our schools have often been at a disadvantage when seeking employment in other countries because the number of years for their elementary and high school education is two years short of those required in those countries.

So far, several schools in the country have already started preparations for the adoption of the new reform in education, with the construction of additional buildings and classrooms, and, as far as the Educational Department is concerned, all is set for the implementation. It is therefore disconcerting to note that some sectors have come out, now that classes about to start, to protest against it.

It seems, however, that the government is bent on going on with this innovation. And, aside from the country's mayors, the program is also supported by various organizations, associations, and clubs composed of the country's professionals and business leaders, who also consider it a reform long overdue.*