Sec. Angara Admits K to 12 Falls Short, DepEd Launches Curriculum Overhaul | People’s Press PH

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara acknowledged that the additional two years introduced under the K to 12 basic education program have fallen short of expectations, particularly in producing graduates equipped with job-ready skills.

Angara, who previously served as senator and was instrumental in crafting several education-related laws, revealed that the Department of Education (DepEd) is undertaking a major revision of the K to 12 curriculum, citing concerns over its content overload.

“For the past decade, implementation has not been optimal. The curriculum is overly congested with too many subjects, leaving students with little opportunity to make choices aligned with their interests and career goals,” Angara said in a recent statement.

To address these challenges, DepEd will begin piloting a revised senior high school curriculum in 800 schools starting this June. This initiative is part of the broader effort to streamline the learning experience and ensure its relevance to both employment and higher education.

Angara also responded to growing calls for the possible removal of senior high school (SHS) from the basic education program. While expressing openness to reforms, he emphasized that the final decision lies with the legislative branch.

“The question of whether to retain or remove senior high school is ultimately for Congress to decide,” he stated.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has already filed a bill seeking to rationalize the basic education system by eliminating the SHS component under the K to 12 program. Estrada’s proposal aims to preserve the core principles of Republic Act No. 10533 the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 while simplifying the structure of high school education to ensure quality and global competitiveness.

In a related development, DepEd has updated its age cut-off policy for Kindergarten admission. Beginning this school year, children who turn five years old on or before October 31 will now be eligible to enroll, extending the previous deadline of August 31. The revised policy is designed to accommodate more learners and provide a more inclusive and developmentally appropriate enrollment period for young children.

These reforms come as the education sector continues to grapple with challenges in access, quality, and alignment with workforce demands, all while striving to uphold the vision of delivering quality education for every Filipino learner.

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