DepEd conducts massive awareness campaign on K+12 program

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) is looking forward to address the gaps in the country’s basic educational system with the implementation of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program.

In line with this, the agency has been intensifying its awareness campaign and consultation even as preparations are on underway for the implementation of the universal kindergarten starting this opening of school year 2011-2012.

The K+12 Program means kinder class and additional six years elementary and four years junior high school.

“All schools will now be having kindergarten classes or pre-school,” DepEd regional director Mildred Garay said, unlike before when the kindergarten class was only organized mostly by parents and was not mandatory.

The kindergarten class will accommodate five-year-old kids and six years old for Grade I.

In line with this, the DepEd will be providing teachers by opening regular plantilla positions, service contracting or hold summer classes to be handled by teachers who will be given extra pay or honorarium.

Subsequently, starting school year 2012-2013, the DepEd will implement the new curriculum for the Grade 1 and first year high school and the two-year additional senior high school in 2016.

The series of consultation with its stakeholders has been going on to get feedback from the stakeholders as well as educate the public about the intention of the program.

The new program, according to the Deped official, will be more beneficial to the society starting from being competitive apart from its impact to the economic growth of the country.

source: manila bulletin