K + 12: Is it a no or a go?

 

Man is an enigma, a mystery. He is created with the capability to understand his surroundings Yet man never understood himself. He is the perfect epitome of irony, for the more he learned, the more he discover his own ignorance. But man is a survivor, not a quitter. Thus, he discovered the lifelong process of understanding himself. He began what was the very foundation of our society today, EDUCATION.

A nation’s path towards progress and stability is not only defined by its wealth but also by its very foundation, its working force. In the Philippines’ persistent effort to rise from its position as a third world country, our government had focused on strengthening our working force by starting on its roots, the education of the people. Thus, K + 12 is born. K + 12 is an educational program tha focuses on strengthening the technical and vocational capabilities of the students. But with this present situation and looming nightmare of global crisis, is it a no or a go?

With 33% of Filipinos living on less than 45 pesos a day and the unemployed rates hit an increase of 6.7%, we are scampering for jobs to support families. Thus, we join in the search for the proverbial “greener pastures” abroad. With the increasing need for technical and vocational workers all around the globe, perhaps K to 12 is the answer to our prayers. Is it?

Looking through another angle however, we might find this program more as a hindrance than a solution. The mechanics is simple, we increase our technical vocational skills then work for others. The country never to benefit from their efforts. With this brain drain trend continuing, what will happen to us? But with poverty everywhere, do we leave them with much choice? No. This would result to nothing but an educated working force with half of the world enjoying its benefits, does it sound right?

With an increasing rate of poverty and unemployed Filipinos, sending our children to school becomes a bigger responsibility. How much more if the years of education are prolonged? With 9.5% increase of drop-outs and only 62% of students educated in Sulu, what more evidence do we need to support the fact that our fellow Filipinos could barely send their children to school?

With the facts clear that our nation is losing more than it is gaining in this program, what motivates our leaders to pursue it? Perhaps the never ending need to change the educational system? Or the glimmer of hope it brings to a poverty stricken country? If we take our chances now, we might be forever haunted by one fatal mistake that was staring at us right under our noses. If we want to improve education, why not start from improving classrooms, facilities, wages and turning teachers into more globally-competent educators? One mistake could be fatal to our future. One question, K + 12: is it a no or a go?