The senior high school implementation plan

By Marilou C. Alabanza

Contributor

THE Department of Education, Division of Ilocos Norte is in full support of meeting the demands in the offering of Grades 11 and 12 of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum-the so called Senior High School (SHS). Nurturing the holistically developed Filipinos is one of the ultimate goals of SHS, thus, there is a sense of urgency to cater the needs of students moving to the curriculum.

Responding to the urgent and critical need to improve the quality of basic education in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) and all other stakeholder are now working hand-in-hand in the implementation of this major educational reform. The K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum is a part of the Philippine Education Plan of Action 2015 which is the expansion of basic education-that by 2015, the Philippines has lengthened its cycle of basic education schooling to 12 years.

In the full implementation of K to 12 Curriculum, many problems are expected to be encountered by school administrators and the local government as well. Such problems include the insufficiency of budget, classrooms, school supplies as well as teachers. Despite all these, there is really a need to implement. Societal change must start with the educational system. It is believed that with this educational reform, the economic status of the Filipinos will be alleviated by providing better job opportunities and various options for all graduates.

It is then a concerted effort to pave the way to the successful implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum. It is the dream and aspiration of everybody to have a curriculum which is responsive to the needs of all Filipinos and making them realize their own potential and contribute meaningfully in building the Filipino nation.

Significant changes in the education structure                                          

One of the major changes brought about by the K to 12 program is on the education structure. Previously, preschool was not compulsory. Pupils could enroll in Grade 1 with or without having been honed through preschool. Under K to 12 and with the Kindergarten Act, pre-school education for five year old children becomes mandatory before entering elementary school.

K to 12 requires six years of elementary education (Grade I to VI) after  one year Kindergarten, four years junior high school (Grade 7-10), and two years senior high school. The additional two years of SHS make graduates better prepared for whatever path they will choose aside from being of legal age (18 years old) to be lawfully employed.

Key changes in the secondary education

Secondary education is undergoing significant changes under the K to 12 Education Program. These changes are in structure, curriculum, and assessment.

Structure. With the K-12 Curriculum, secondary education consists of four years of junior high school (Grade 7-10) and two years of senior high school (Grade 11 to12).

Curriculum. In the SEC 2010, Science and Mathematics are taught using the discipline-based approach. All subjects are taught following the three stages of Understanding by Design (Buds) identifying desired results, determining acceptable evidence, and planning instruction.

On the other hand, the K to 12 Curriculum follows the spiral approach wherein learning is a process of building upon previously learned knowledge.

Through this, students are able to master the desired competencies by revisiting the subject several times and relating new knowledge or skills with the previous one.

Moreover, students’ progress in their learning as it entails going from simple to more complex knowledge or skills. In the K to 12 Education Program. The special progression approach will be used in teaching Science, Mathematics, Araling Panlipunan, MAPEH, and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao.

Assessment. The National Achievement Test (NAT) taken by second year students will be replaced by an examination at the end of Grade 12. It is envisioned that the examination at the end of Grade 12 is the exit examination of the secondary level and, at the same time, the entrance examination for college.

Rationale

There is a sense of urgency to cater to the needs of students moving to SHS. DepEd Division of Ilocos Norte is moving forward to a rapid implementation of this program. Academic year 2016-2017 will be the turning point in the educational system as it will be the nationwide implementation of Grade 11 of the SHS Program. This program is a two-year specialized upper secondary education where students can choose a course from any of the four tracks-academic, sports, arts and design, and technical-vocational.

In the implementation of the SHS Program there is a need to review the different existing vocational courses being offered in all the high schools in the division. It is also important to conduct surveys, interviews, meeting regarding the existing resources on facilities, teachers, staff, competencies, buildable spaces and potential school sites. The result of these activities will be used as benchmark for the kind of curricular offering in the different high schools. All the information gathered will be used to determine track offerings in each school and the capacity of each school to offer Senior High School. All of these activities are undertaken by our division to ensure a full and successful implementation of Senior High School.

It is expected that for the year 2016, DepEd-Division Ilocos Norte will join the entire nation in the implementation of the Senior High School Program. This necessitates the division to prepare a carefully sequenced implementation plan for all stakeholders to adapt and serves as a guide for all school administrators and other local government officials for its successful implementation. DepEd Ilocos Norte looks forward to a strong and solid partnership with all internal and external stakeholders to make SHS in full-swing at its best.

(Ms. Alabanza is a School Principal II at Catangraran Elem. School in Solsona, Ilocos Norte)