K-12: LGU invites DepEd Malaybalay City, conducts forum on SHS implementation

kto12wlguTo inquire on the impact of K-12 Senior High School program, Vice Mayor Roland Deticio and the Sanguniang Panlungsod Members of the City of Malaybalay invited the Division of Malaybalay City core officials to conduct an orientation.

This invitation is another indicator of the LGU’s cooperation towards enhancing basic education.

Three years after the law was passed and implemented, the program will be put to its final test this incoming school year 2016 –2017 as DepEd caters to the first batch of senior high school students. Many institutions question the impact of this change for students or even the entire community.

With the leadership of Dr.  Edilberto L. Oplenaria, the Schools Division Superintendent, the session was conducted on October 13 at the Sangguniang Panglungsod Session hall. With him were Chief Education Program Supervisor Mr. Ralph T. Quirog, Public School District Supervisor of District VII Mr. Noel Tan Nery, and secondary school heads of the division.

Mr. Quirog who is also the senior high school coordinator began the session with an overview of the K to 12 program. This was followed by an open forum where one major questions asked by Vice Mayor Detecio was the significance of implementing the Senior High program of the K to 12. Mr. Quirog responded using the law which is the Republic Act No. 10533, also known as An Act Enhancing the Philippine Basic Education System by Strengthening Its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education. Thus, it is necessary to undergo grades 11 and 12 before graduating high school.

According to study, the Philippines is way behind in terms of international education standards. The K to 12 program of the Department of Education is a major leap for our country’s endeavour to keep up with the ASEAN international standards.

Another major query asked during the session was the status of the teachers especially in the tertiary education since there would be no incoming freshmen in college for two school years. Mr. Quirog said that it would require proper coordination with CHED and DOLE so that no college teachers will be displaced. Few of the options for them would be to teach Senior High school or devote unit loads for research and or pursue post-graduate courses.

Other questions were related to the specific tracks on senior high school program and technicalities. The advocacy on the program was properly disseminated. With the knowledge and awareness that has been imparted during the session, DepEd Division of Malaybalay City believes that the Sangguniang Panlungsod is now more prepared and confident to answer their clienteles’ questions on the Senior High School implementation. The Division hopes that the said institution would contribute on information dissemination of the significance of K to 12 program to different groups to further strengthen and sustain the program since it is a major leap for our country’s endeavour to keep up with the ASEAN international standards.

Kervi Don A. Abendaño