House approves K-12 program on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the bill on the K-12 program which seeks to add two years to the present 10-year education program in the country.

Despite Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino’s statements against the bill, it was passed by lawmakers through a viva voce vote or by saying ‘aye’ or ‘nay’. The other form of voting is nominal.

The session was however momentarily disrupted by militant youths who shouted protests against the K-12 program. The protesters, members of the League of Filipino Students, were quickly dragged out by security personnel after the commotion.

The K-12 program is envisioned by the Department of Education as a way to improve the present state of education in the country and was started last June despite lacking an enabling law.

Palatino and Gabriela Partylist Representative Luzviminda Ilagan have voiced their objections to the new education program, saying that it is not the solution to the poor quality of education in the country.

The government, they said, should instead find solutions to the lack of teachers, classrooms and education materials.

But Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, a member of the House basic education panel, was positive that the K-12 program would “make our educational system more competitive and responsive to the demands of the job market.”

Aside from adding two more years to the current education program, technical vocational courses will also be included in the curriculum for basic education.