New class subjects, challenges in K-12

The government, teachers, parents and students will have to face new challenges this school year with the implementation of K-12 program.

During the June 2 episode of “Pagtuki,” the radio program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Lapu-Lapu City Department of Education (DepEd) program supervisor Edgar Baring, said there would be a “slight difference” in this year’s opening of classes from that of the previous years as K-12 takes effect in the basic education system of the Philippines.

“The local and national government are trying their best to attain the needs of the students in this new scheme of education,” Baring said.

The K-12 entails the addition of Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) subject in grades 1, 2 and 3 as well as Edukasyong Pagkakatao (Edukasyong Pagpapahalaga in the old curriculum).

The program will reduce the minutes of teaching in Science from 360 minutes per week to 240 minutes, Mathematics, English, Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE), MAPEH and Filipino, from 300 minutes a week to 240 minutes, Araling Panlipunan to 180 minutes a week and Edukasyong Pagkatao to 120 minutes a week.

This school year, mother-tongue based medium of instruction from kindergarten to grade 3 will also be revived.

Since K-12 program is now taking effect, DepEd reminds the public that no fees will be collected in public schools nationwide apart from the fees for Boy Scout of the Philippines and Girl Scout of the Philippines which is P50, P35 for Red Cross and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).

“There are lots of problems in schools that we need to focus on and these problems must not only be addressed by the government alone but every individual. If we will work hand in hand, the problems will be solved,” said Tanya Flores, senior program officer of RAFI Education Development unit.

“Pagtuki” is aired over dyLA every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The program tackles issues affecting the Cebuano community.

For more information about the radio program, visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.