Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is intensifying efforts to suspend the implementation of K-to-12, the 12-year education program that adds two more years to secondary education.
In an interview with Radyo Inquirer on Saturday, Trillanes urged those who shared the same sentiment to be more vocal in expressing their opposition to the measure.
“Iparamdam n’yo na nais n’yong ipa-suspend. Mararamdaman nila na maraming may ayaw nito,” he said.
“It is stated in our Constitution that the purpose of an education system is to maximize the talents and intellect of our citizens—not to follow what other countries are doing,” the senator said in Filipino.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Trillanes emphasized that many schools especially in Metro Manila were not yet ready for the new measure, adding that some high schools were not equipped to offer technical and vocational courses.
As an alternative, the senator proposed to channel efforts and resources to the improvement of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
“In the K-to-12 setup, technical and vocational programs will be taught in high school. Students will likely pass these subjects but they won’t internalize them because their mindset is that they are still in high school,” Trillanes said.
He also reiterated his call to Supreme Court justices to stop the implementation of the “ambitious” program to give more ample time for preparation and transition.
“We are appealing to our justices to hear our pleas, the pleas of parents, teachers, and everyone who will be affected,” Trillanes said. “We hope that K-to-12 will be suspended to give us more time to prepare and to avoid chaos next year.”
On May 6, Trillanes, together with Magdalo party-list Representatives Gary Alejano and Francis Ashley Acedillo, filed a 37-page petition urging the high court to declare Republic Act No. 10533 or the K-to-12 Law unconstitutional.
Trillanes led a protest march against K-to-12 on Saturday afternoon at Liwasang Bonifacio.