Former president and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seeking to replace K to 12 education program with "K + 10 +2" wherein only those students who will be pursuing tertiary education must undergo Grades 11 and 12.
Arroyo filed House Bill No.7893 or "An Act amending Republic Act (RA) No.10533, entitled "An Act enhancing the Philippine basic education system by strengthening its curriculum and increasing the number of years for basic education, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes."
In the bill, she pointed out that since the law mandating the K to 12 programs was passed, it failed to "provide its graduates with promised advantages", adding that the additional two senior high school years only "exacerbate the additional burden on parents and students."
"Unfortunately, the reality of the market seems to be that the private sector continues to prefer hiring college or university graduates over those who finish the K-to-12 program," Arroyo said.
According to the former President, with the 18 percent poverty incidence in the country, students should be given the option to graduate after four years of high school for them to "help their parents in their farms or micro-businesses."
Arroyo explained that her proposed "K + 10 + 2" program, additional two years will be offered to students who "want to go on to a professional education" in a bid to "enhance their chances of succeeding in college or university and onward to professional licensure."
