Militant lawmakers seek inquiry into K to 12 implementation

Militant lawmakers on Thursday filed a resolution to conduct an inquiry into the status of implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

House Resolution No. 1887 was filed by ACT-Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago.

The lawmakers want to address the root problems hounding the K to 12 program, including the chronic lack of funds for basic education.

They noted that the change in the country’s basic education system “brought with it a myriad of issues as reported from the field by teachers and other school personnel, parents, and students.”

Some of the issues they cited were the persisting shortage of:

• schools and classrooms particularly for senior high school;
• learning facilities including computer and science laboratories and libraries;
• students’ seats, desks, tables and furniture;
• water and sanitation facilities, and
• textbooks and learning modules.

The lawmakers also want to look into dire learning and teaching conditions.

They likewise questioned the employability of K to 12 graduates, citing “recent statements from the business community as to the lack of job readiness or competence for employment of the first batch of K to 12 graduates.”

“All these suggest that far from improving the access of Filipino children to basic education and promoting the rights of teachers and other education workers, the K to 12 program has done quite the opposite,” the congressmen said. /vvp