Some senators favor K-12 review, but if it proves ineffective, Sotto wants old system back

MANILA, Philippines — While they agree that there is a need to review the K to 12 program, some senators differ on whether it should be scrapped or not.

Outgoing Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is suggesting a return to the previous curriculum — which is only four years in high school— if the K to 12 program is found to be “ineffective.”

Currently, the 12-year basic education covers six years of elementary, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school.

“Ang nakita ko hindi tumalab yung K to 12. Sa mga businesses, sa mga employers, ng hinahanap pa rin college graduate. That’s the sad fact,” Sotto said in an interview at the Senate on Tuesday.

(The K to 12 was not effective. In businesses, employers are still looking for college graduates. That’s the sad fact.)

“So between a college graduate and a K to 12 graduate, yung college graduate ang kukunin (the college graduate will be hired),” he pointed out. “Let’s hope and pray that the incoming administration will be able to resolve it…”

When asked if the program should then be continued or stopped, the Senate leader stressed the need to review the program first.

“And if found to be ineffective, revert back to the former system with improved curriculum,” Sotto said in a text message.

Sotto was among those who welcomed the review of the implementation of the program as ordered by President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

READ: K-12 program can’t be abolished overnight, says Sara Duterte

“I think it’s a good move,” he said of Marcos Jr.’s directive, adding that the incoming administration would be in a “very good position” to conduct the review of the program.

Senators Nancy Binay and Sonny Angara also backed the review of the program.

READ: Gatchalian vows to push for oversight review of K-12 law

“I agree na I think it’s high time na i-review ‘yung K to 12—not to stop it but more to enhance the program…” Binay said in a separate interview.

Angara also agreed with the review “not necessarily with a view to abandoning it” but because he believes the program has not yet been implemented well.

“Funding is one of the issues that needs addressing at hopefully post pandemic, mabigyan talaga ng focus ito since nagbukas na ang bansa at pa recover na ang ekonomiya. Pwede mag bigay ng naaakmang pondo dito sa edukasyon,” he further said.

(Hopefully, it will be given focus because the country is opening and the economy is recovering. Appropriate funds can be given to the education sector.)

je/abc