Solon bats for K to 12 suspension amid problems in implementation

MANILA, Philippines—A lawmaker who chairs the House of Representatives higher education committee said he was willing to move for the suspension of the K to 12 program in 2016 amid problems in its implementation.

In a press conference Tuesday, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said he would even author a resolution for the suspension of the program that was implemented after the passage of Republic Act 10533 or “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.”

“At this point in time, hindi sila ready… Definitely, if it comes to the point na hindi sila handa, I will have no second thoughts in authoring the resolution calling for its suspension,” Romulo said.

Romulo scored the failure of the Department of Education (DepEd) in implementing the program that added another two years to the school curriculum.

READ: Teachers, parents to seek TRO vs K to 12 program

He cited the problems of infrastructure, classroom shortage, and the absence of safety net for college professors who were displaced with students.

Under the K to 12 program, there will be one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary, and six years of secondary education (the latter includes four years of junior high and two years of high school).

The additional years of primary education would displace tertiary schools of incoming first year students for at least two years.

The program aims to make the country’s education system at par with other more developed countries, despite additional cost to families and problems on educational infrastructure.

Romulo said the DepEd wanted to build 34,000 classrooms until 2016. “Ngayon pa lang ibi-build ang karamihan (sa classroom). Obviously, wala pang 50 percent ’yun… Hindi natin masasabi na medyo mataas ang kahandaan,” he added.

Romulo said he hoped to get updates on Wednesday’s committee hearing with DepEd on the K to 12 implementation.

“That is why gusto po nating ipagpatuloy ang engagement natin sa DepEd … Mayroon pa namang panahon para ayusin nila,” he added.

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