Trillanes, coalition: Shelve K to 12

Philippine education should give no room to the government’s K to 12 program, partly because

Filipinos lack extra money for it, according to Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th..

“We must work together and let our voices be heard by PNoy [President Benigno Aquino 3rd] and

the Supreme Court. Our goal is to make them realize that our country doesn’t need the K to 12

Program and the people cannot afford it,” Trillanes said over the weekend as he led the launch of

the Coalition for K to 12 suspension.

Malacañang, however, stood firm on the government’s decision to continue nationwide

implementation of the enhanced Basic Education Program or K to 12 Law.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Sunday pointed out that the

program aims at enhancing competitiveness of the Filipino in the global economy.

Still, Trillanes said on Saturday, “It is more appropriate to call this the K MINUS 12 program because

of problems besetting [it].”

The senator said the program lacks resources, tools, classrooms, teachers and time to prepare for

its implementation, among other concerns.

Coalition head and Professor Rene Luis Tadle, during the launch, explained that they decided to

form the group after they found out that the country’s education system is ill-prepared for the

program.

The coalition, composed of members of Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities

in the Philippines, faculty, non-teaching staff, parents, labor unions and faculty associations, said

majority of the country’s high schools do not have enough classrooms and facilities to accommodate

additional number of students as a result of the program.

“Even most parents are not aware of details of this program, including the financial burden it would

bring them,” Tadle added.

In a manifesto, the coalition cited alleged failure of the government to afford protection to labor as

among the grounds why the program should be suspended.

It said 56,771 out of 111,351 college teachers and 22,838 non-teaching staff will be at risk of losing

their jobs as a result of a huge decline in the number of college enrollees starting academic year

2016-2017.

Under the K to 12 Program, two more years, referred to as senior high school, will be added to the

current education system.

The new system covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education: six years of primary

education, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school.

During senior high school, students are expected to specialize in areas or career tracks they want to

pursue, which include: Academic; Technical-Vocational-Livelihood; and Sports and Arts.

The Academic track includes three strands: Business, Accountancy and Management (BAM);

Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (HESS); and Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics (STEM).

The coalition plans to file a petition for suspension of the program before the Supreme Court.

In defending the K to 12 Program, Coloma told government-run dzRB radio, “Perceived

disadvantages brought about by its implementation are being addressed jointly by the Cabinet

education cluster composed of DepEd [Department of Education], CHED [Commission on Higher

Education], and Tesda [Technical Education Skills Development Authority].”

He said the program became national policy upon enactment of Republic Act 10533 or the

Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which became effective on June 8, 2013.

Belmonte vows to block Congress attempts to suspend K-12 implementation

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Wednesday vowed to block attempts at the House of Representatives to suspend the implementation of the K-12 program, following an appeal from the .Department of Education (DepEd) for more time and understanding as it firms up its preparations for the new education initiative.

Speaking to reporters after attending a forum on the K-12 program, Belmonte expressed confidence that the DepEd will be able to fully implement the program by June 2016 despite the few loopholes in its ongoing preparations.

“I think it’s inevitable there are some initial glitches, but I’m very confident they are up to their job,” he said.

Belmonte said that while some lawmakers are unhappy about the state of DepEd’s preparation for the program, Congress cannot easily suspend its execution because it is already a law.

“There’s no suspension that will come from us,” he said. “It’s only [Congress] who can say if they cannot do it pero kami dito sa Congress, we’ve given them the law. It cannot be suspended anyway just like that.”

Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, who chairs the House committee on higher and technical education, on Tuesday said he will not hesitate to file a resolution calling for the suspension of the K-12 rollout if he sees the DepEd is unprepared to implement it.

Areas for improvement

Belmonte believes the country’s education system needs to be upgraded to make the country’s labor force more competitive.

“DepEd has to do its job because otherwise, we will be a country supplying menials in the world,” he said.

Under Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, a student will be required to undergo kindergarten, six years of elementary, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school. It will be

rolled out in school year 2016-2017.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro admitted there are still various areas for improvement in their preparation for the K-12 program, but said it is on track to implement it next year.

“Gumastos na tayo ng limang taon, syempre hindi naman perpekto pero [maayos] na ang kabuuan… Meron pa bang kulang? Syempre meron kasi taun-taon may nadadagdag [na mga estudyante], pero napakalayo na natin sa kung ano ang estado ng mga classroom natin three to four years ago. Ready na ready na tayo,” he said.

'Kulang na lang bubong'

He appealed to lawmakers to give the DepEd more time to prepare for the K-12 program instead of mulling to suspend its implementation.

“Kami nananawagan na ‘wag naman nating i-suspend [ang K-12]. Para tayong nagtatayo ng bahay, ang kulang na lang bubong,” he said.

Luistro, however, conceded that there are still several problems that DepEd needs to address ahead of rolling out the K-12, such as the delay in the construction of classrooms.  

According to the agency’s midterm report, 3,291 classrooms were constructed in 2010; 12,513 in 2011; 16,323 in 2012; 34,686 in 2013; and 33,608 in 2014.

Luistro admitted that there was a slowdown in the construction of classrooms last year because he felt he should not rush them at the expense of making them less resilient to withstand calamities.

“In conscience I cannot build classrooms na masisira ng intensity nine na earthquake. I decided it’s not prudent to rush it. It’s okay to be delayed, basta may justification,” he said.

30,000 teachers

Luistro said DepEd is still in the process of firming up its plans for teachers and education workers in higher education institutions (HEIs) who are at risk of being displaced when K-12 is in full swing. He, however, said there is a wide security net available to them.

The educators who would be rendered jobless, he said, could be recruited by DepEd as teachers for its 5,000 public senior high schools.

“Mangangailangan ang DepEd ng 30,000 teachers on the first year of K-12 implementation. Ang estimate na bilang ng mga mawawalan ng trabaho na mga guro over the next five years ay 39,000… Kung tutuusin, sobra-sobra pa ang pangangailangan ng DepEd sa mawawalan ng trabaho,” he said.

Aside from applying as teachers in public senior high schools, Luistro said scholarships will be made available to educators from HEIs so they can study for another degree for the duration of their hiatus. —KBK, GMA News

Should DepEd's K to 12 Be Suspended?

There are various reasons why the program must be discarded at this point. Any one of these reasons is adequate enough to call for a suspension of the new curriculum.

The Early Years of Learning

It is no secret that problems in basic education in the Philippines are evident already in the primary years. Adding two years at the end of basic education does not address the problems in the early years. Cornelio Reformina of the Emilia Foundation describes this vividly using the following analogy:

"The k-12 program is like adding 2 floors to a rickety 10-story building on a weak foundation."Lack of Resources

Classroom shortages are widely known. Poor facilities and overcrowded classrooms are widespread. Teachers are also overworked and underpaid. Learning materials are not available. The government simply does not have the resources to implement K to 12. The following photo taken and posted on Facebook by Genaro Ruiz Gojo Cruz speaks volume with regard to the current predicament of schools in the Philippines. One must keep in mind that this is not a photo from a school in one of the regions devastated recently by typhoons. This is a photo of a classroom in Cocob Elementary School located in Zamboanga del Norte. These needs must be met first. Otherwise, any curriculum is bound to fail.

K to 12 Is Simply Inconsistent

One of the justifications given for K to 12 is decongesting the old curriculum. Proponents claim that too many topics are forced within a very short 10 year period. If this is true, K to 12 does nothing to solve this problem. The subjects covered in the new grades 7 through 10 are no different from the old 4-year high school. Take, for instance, the math and science subjects. The only difference is that a spiral curriculum is implemented but the coverage remains the same, the four years of junior high school are taking biology, chemistry, physics and earth sciences. In fact, algebra is taught in grade 7, which is no different from the old curriculum. On the other hand, the opposite has happened in the early years. Kindergarten up till second grade now focus on oral fluency while reading and writing are postponed. One can only imagine what a student needs to do during grades 4 through 6 in order to prepare for high school. The added two years at the end of high school come with its own content. These years are not from the old 10-year curriculum so these do not really decongest. The added two years come with a menu that says, "choose what you like, but only if it is available in your local school". Herbert Vego writes in Panay News:

"Look at some of the new modules K-12 has enforced. To name a few: Handicraft Production, Bread and Pastry Production, Caregiving and Electrical Installation and Maintenance. Why ram them all into high school kids? Does Luisto expect high school graduates to bake cake or baby-sit for a living right after high school graduation?"

Wrong Direction

The most important point, however, is that DepEd's K to 12 is simply the wrong direction. While other countries are looking into ways to improve the early years and provide a stronger foundation for learning, DepEd's K to 12 looks in the other way. The problems in basic education including dropouts are already happening in the primary years. Any program that is added much later to basic education simply does not address these problems.

Time is running out. DepEd K to 12 needs to be scrapped before it causes further damage to Philippine basic education and a generation of children.

Suspension of K-12 program will be counter-productive — GatchalianJuly 2014

MANILA — Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday cautioned against suspending the implementation of the K to 12 Program as this will prove to be counter-productive to the future job prospects of the current crop of elementary and high school students.

Gatchalian made the statement in reaction to the move by some legislators to suspend the program until the more basic problems like lack of classrooms and study materials are rightfully addressed by government, particularly the Department of Education (DepEd).

The K to 12 Program is the more popular name of Republic Act 10533 which was signed into law by President Noynoy Aquino to address the problem of many college graduates in the country who cannot find jobs because of the inherent deficiency in their basic education.

“Many end up jobless because they do not have the skills required by jobs available in employed. The tertiary level, on the other hand, will give people specialization,” said Gatchalian, a majority member on the House committees on basic education and culture and on higher and technical education.

The Valenzuela solon stressed that delaying the program’s implementation will be much more detrimental to the economy.

“If people cannot find jobs after school, they will only increase the ranks of the unemployed, and thus add more burden to our economy instead of being productive citizens,” said the lawmaker in a statement.

The K to 12 program, as envisioned by DepEd, will not only prepare high school graduates for college learning but also help them gear up for next year’s ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) economic integration, which will knit the region into a single market and production base and allow for a free flow of goods, services, capital, and labor.

“The program will make our workforce competitive with their ASEAN counterparts,” he said even as he noted that the Philippines is the lone country in Asia with only 10 years of basic education.

According to Gatchalian, the gaps in education being raised by some legislators, could be addressed by increasing the budget for capital outlay.

“The benefits greatly outweigh the shortcomings. The government only has to step up its spending on education to address the gaps in classrooms, teachers, and learning materials. Malacanang can very well use its savings for this very urgent program” he said.

Under the K to 12 Program, students can choose from three tracks in the two years of senior high school added to the basic education curriculum. These are academic, technical-vocational-livelihood, and sports and arts. Students will also gain exposure in their chosen track.

To further cushion the potential impact of the program on the operations of higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as teaching and non-teaching personnel, Gatchalian urged the government to increase the P29.44-billion budget for the proposed Higher Education Sector Stabilization Fund (HESSF).

He also suggested that college teaching personnel be hired to fill the high demand for senior high school teachers during the interim period, when there will be no HEI freshmen for two school years starting 2016.

“By increasing funding for education it will be possible to improve physical learning inputs like classrooms, materials, and salaries at the same time as upgrading intellectual inputs like curricula and teaching methods,” the veteran solon pointed out.

The President briefly said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the government is already preparing for the new education requirements of the K to 12 program.

10 Reasons Why the K to 12 Program Should Be SuspendedUnited by our commitment to serve the public through ensuring quality education for everyone, we, teachers, parents, students, administrators, professionals, and concerned citizens of the Philippines, call upon the second Aquino regime to IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND THE K TO 12 PROGRAM, BASED ON THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

1. The government is not prepared to implement a 12-year Basic Education Cycle mandated by K to 12, as manifested by the actual insufficiency of classrooms, libraries, toilets, and other facilities; textbooks, modules, and other instructional materials; teachers, non-teaching staff, maintenance staff and other education sector personnel in the old 10-year Basic Education Cycle.

2. The government’s actual education budget in recent decades never reached 4% of the GDP, while the global standard is pegged at 6% of the GDP, hence, the K to 12 program will be underfunded with predictably disastrous consequences.

3. The almost simultaneous implementation of three big educational reforms – Mother-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the primary level, the creation of a two-year senior high school at the secondary level, and the introduction of a trimmed down new General Education Curriculum (GEC) at the tertiary level – is very problematic and prone to ineffective and inefficient implementation as the government’s limited resources and personnel will be very stretched.

4. As proven by subpar National Achievement Test (NAT) results in recent years, the over-all quality of education in the Philippines is bad and stagnant if not declining, thus, to improve the quality of education, the government must prioritize the improvement of facilities and teacher training, and increasing the salaries of teachers and non-teaching personnel especially those in public schools, from the measly Php23,044 (Instructor 1 in state colleges and universities), Php18,549 (Teacher 1 in DepEd schools), Php9,000 (typical entry-level salary of non-teaching staff) to Php26,878; Php25,000; and Php16,000 respectively, considering that a PMA cadet’s monthly salary is Php27,425.

5. The enactment of CHED Memo No. 20, Series of 2013 wich has trimmed down the college General Education Curriculum (GEC) and eventually cascaded

subjects from college to senior high school, has led to the removal of vital subjects such as Filipino, Literature, and Philippine Government and Constitution.

6. Many courses – such as Housekeeping and Caregiving – in the senior high school curriculum are shockingly suitable only to overseas jobs, and/or beneficial only to foreign businesses – such as Medical Transcription and Contact Center Services, thus the K to 12 Program has no nationalist and pro-Filipino orientation, contrary to the requirements of Article XIV, Sections 2 and 3 of the Philippine Constitution.

7. Generally, the anti-tertiary education mantra of the K to 12 program will manufacture young and docile laborers who will be forced to accept and be permanently chained to low-paying and contractual jobs, at a time when even many college graduates are unable to find good jobs

8. The K to 12 program is a prelude to the planned amalgamation/merging of state universities and colleges (SUCs) under the government’s Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reform (RPHER) which may result to the possible reduction of SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs), and even small private colleges and universities. At the outset, it will lead to the massive displacement of around 100,000 professors, teachers and non-teaching personnel by 2016 when no one will enroll in the tertiary level; and beyond, once the slimmer GEC has become permanent, and in a number of colleges and universities, this scheme will also lead to the massive contractualization of both teaching and non-teaching staff.

9. Considering that more than 20 million Filipinos are poor as per official government statistics (close to 40 million as per World Bank data), adding two more years in high school will certainly be financially burdensome for many families at this point, hence it is an indirect assault to our people’s right to education. In some SUCs, the proposed annual fees for senior high school will reach a whopping 16,000 pesos – a 1,600% increase in the lowest tuition rate in the country, on top of other school-related expenses!

10. No massive and genuinely democratic consultations with teachers, parents, students, and other stakeholders, were held when the K to 12 Program was being crafted, and before it was implemented; and the government did not conduct a nationwide assessment of the old 10-year Basic Education Cycle and the previous primary and secondary education curricula, hence the sudden shift to a 12-year Basic Education Cycle is all the more whimsical and at this point, baseless.

Five Key Benefits of the K to 12 Basic Education Program

1. It will produce globally competitive graduates

The K to 12 program answers the need for a 12-year education system which is at par with international standards such as the Washington Accord and the Bologna Accord. Graduates of the K to 12 program will be perceived with increased competency and have better global opportunities.

2. Students will learn more easily

The improved basic education curriculum is decongested and focused. Students will have more time learning core academic areas thus ensuring better comprehension. Also, pupils from Grade 3 and below will be thought in their mother tongue to ensure better understanding of basic concepts.

3. Students will be free to pursue their passion

The new curriculum will be learner-centered. Students will be allowed to choose elective subjects and specializations which they really want. The students willlove learning more and will grow to their full potential. Whether the students want to be professionals, businessmen, artists or athletes, theirs skills and talents will be honed and nurtured.

4. There will be savings on college tuition fees

Grade 11 and 12 takes the form of a two-year college education. In a public school, this is tuition-free. In effect, the number of year of college courses will decrease because of redundancies. Those who will pursue college will have fewer years to pay for. Graduates will also receive training certifications, which reduces the need to study a vocational course.

5. It will reduce unemployment rate and improve the economy

With the increased competence and workmanship due to TESDA-like training and college-like education included in the new curriculum, the graduates will become highly employable, reducing the rate of unemployment in the Philippines. Those who are passionate about starting businesses will be enabled to open more job opportunities.

The K to 12 basic education program aims not only to produce better graduates but also to improve the quality of life of the country as a whole. What is asked from us as Filipino citizens is that we support the program in whatever ways we can, share the information to others and, most of all, believe in thesuccess of this program

Why does the Philippines Needs the K+12 Education System?By Arnikan Abueva

Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. While this may be true, our current education system hinders us in becoming more competitive among other countries.

Starting this coming school year 2012- 2013,the current education system of the Philippines will be

enhanced from the 10- years of basic education into 12- years through the program called the K-12

Education Plan of the Department of Education.

The implementation of the K- 12 education plan in the Philippine Basic Education Curriculum is the

key to our nation’s development. Though the government will face many problems in the long run of

the implementation of the program, there really is a need to implement it because the enhancement

of the quality of our education is very urgent and critical.

Here are some of the good reasons not to disagree with K- 12 education plan in the Philippines

according to Isagani Cruz (2010) in one of his columns in a local newspaper:

Sufficient Instructional Time

If K- 12 will be implemented, students will be able to get sufficient instructional time to do subject-

related tasks which makes them more prepared and well- trained on that subject area. On the other

hand, if we remain on the old system, Filipino students would continually get low achievement

scores. For instance, international test results revealed that we often come at the tail end in the

exams compared to other countries.

More Skilled and Competent Labor Force

Another good reason why we should support K- 12 is that the graduates of this program will be more

prepared to enter the labor force. As we all noticed, high school graduates of the current curriculum

are not yet employable for the reason that they are not yet competent and well – equipped with the

skills needed in the workplaces. In addition, most high school graduates are not yet reaching the

legal age of 18. With the new curriculum, senior high school students can choose a field that they

are good at and that they are interested in. As a result, they will be equipped with the skills needed

for a specific job even without a college degree. At the age of 18, the age when they graduate from

high school, they will be employable and competitive already. Thus, adding up to the nation’s

manpower.

Recognition as Professionals Abroad

Finally, with K- 12, Filipino graduates will be automatically recognized as professionals abroad

because we are following the international education standard as practiced by all nations. There will

be no need to study again and spend more money in order to qualify to their standards. With this,

Filipino professionals who aspire to work abroad will not find a hard time in getting jobs in line with

their chosen field and will be able to help their families more in the Philippines as well as the

country’s economy with their remittances, property buying, and creation of businesses.

What We Are

Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. While this may be true, our

current education system hinders us in becoming more competitive among other countries. The K-

12 education plan offers a great solution to that problem. However, it is undeniable that there seems

to be problems arising as we implement the program such as lack of government budget,

classrooms and school supplies as well as the teachers. But, if we focus on the long- term effect of

K- 12, we can conclude that it is very beneficial to us Filipinos. Therefore, we must have the strong

will in supporting K- 12 Educational Plan for the betterment of our education system and economy.

Remember, if we want change in our society, we must start it with our education system.

K-12 Basic Education Program in the Philippines: Beneficial or Additional Burden?

THIS DEBATE is on whether the government should put its limited resources on the Enhanced K-12 Basic Education Program which will add two years to our present 10-year basic education. The enhanced K-12 program as many now know, will have kindergarten, 6 years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10), and two years of senior high school.According to the 2010 Department of Education Briefing Report, the last two years (Grades 11 and 12) will provide time for the student to consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies. It plans to complete the enhanced 12-year curriculum and start with incoming Grade 1 students of SY 2012-13. The rationale for the two years is to decongest and enhance basic education curricula, provide quality learning, and be at par with other countries in Asia which provide more years for basic education. Now, a lot of students were alarmed. Some argues that this program will serve as an extra expense of our government while some says it’s a big opportunity for us to produce well experienced, competitive and international skilled graduates.

Possible reasons against K-12 Basic Education Program:1. It is unrealistic and may drive more youths to drop out of school.2. It is impractical for a country that has one of the lowest budgets for education.3. It will require extra expenses for families in our society where the majority is impoverished.4. It could also reinforce cheap semi-skilled labor for foreign markets.5. It will just add up to the burden of parents and students. 

Possible reasons for K-12 Basic Education Program:

1.       It will provide time for the student to consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies.2.       It will also decongest and enhance basic education curricula, provide quality learning, and be at equality with other countries in Asia which provide more years for basic education.3.       The additional two years in the said program is crucial to come up with a proposal in enhancing our basic education program in a manner that is least disruptive to the current curriculum, most affordable to government and families, and aligned with international practice.4.       This quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education.5.       It’s a good opportunity to match the academic levels of other countries.

THE K to 12 CURRICULUM IN PHILIPPINES (A GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL BELONGINGNESS)

                 Education in the Philippineschanged radically, and was before patterned from both of educational systems of Spain and the United States. However, after the liberation of the Philippines in 1946, Filipinos then had moved in various directions of its own.Elementary and high school education is compulsory, and is administered nationally by the Department of Education, along with the assurance of funding for school services and equipments, recruitment of teachers for all public schools, and the supervising and organization of the education curricula.Based on the current education system of the Philippines, students should enter elementary schools at the age of 6 or 7, and for a duration of 6 years. Then, at the age of 12 or 13, students then enter high schools for a duration 4 years. The total years of education is 10.However, recently, the Department of Education proposed the K-12 [1]  education system, along with the new curriculum for all students. The implementation of the system is "phased". The first phase of the implementation will start on SY 2012-2013. During this school year, universalkindergarten will be finally offered, and will now be a part of the compulsory education system; and a new curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 students. By SY 2016-2017, Grade 1/Year 5 will be introduced, and Grade 12/Year 6 by SY 2017-2018; with the phased implementation of the new curriculum finished by the SY 2017-2018.[2]However, during the new educational cycle, from 2016 to 2018, college enrollment could slow down or could turn to nil because of the entrance of the lower-year students to the new educational system.All public and private elementary schools, high schools and colleges and universities in the Philippines start classes from early-June to mid-June and end from mid-March to early-April.

RATIONALE OF K to 12 IMPLEMENTION IN THE  PHILIPPINES

              The President noted that the Philippines is the only country in Asia and one of only three in the world – two of which are in Africa – with a 10-year basic education program.

“How do Filipinos become competitive if from the very beginning we are already at a disadvantage in the number of years of studying and training? What we want is

to give the next generation a strong foundation,” Aquino said.

Early grades 

1. Since career exploration and awareness of the world of work are the key for this age group, bring parents and friends who have unique work experiences to the classroom. Have classroom visitors talk about the positive aspects of work and its related values. Demonstrate how careers/jobs produce all kinds of benefits/good feelings. Be sure to brief the visitors on what aspects of their work they should discuss with the students. Have them blend the aspects of work values with how people feel about themselves.2. This is an excellent time to focus on careers and self-esteem. Linking the world of work to self-esteem/self-concept issues is essential during this period of development. Accomplish this through play techniques that simulate work experiences and relevant videos/movies/books.3. Help students develop resilience, assets identified that children need in order to grow strong and self-determined, by providing examples of ways to deal with age-appropriate problems. Resilience is a great strength and students need to maximize this asset at an early age. 4. Teach students how careers/work can contribute to a sense of well-being or happiness. Positive psychology holds that happiness can be taught. Focusing on the positive and rewarding and praising children for it, helps them develop important strengths. 5. Connect the student�s signature strengths, those characteristics that make them unique and which contribute to feelings of well-being and success, to aspects of career development. For example, leadership, kindness, love of learning, to name a few, can be readily related to careers and jobs.

6. Do discussions or group exercises that allow the students to talk about their strengths and how these strengths might be useful for facing the demands of careers or everyday life (Steen, Kachorek, & Peterson, 2003).

Middle grades 1. Middle grades are the most important and most demanding in a student�s development and potential for success. The most critical task, we believe, is to continue developing the signature strengths of the students. These strengths, linked to the world of work and values, will serve as �buffering agents� to facilitate children�s positive development. Without certain strengths to buffer the negative forces of development, students will not be successful.

2. Similarly, this is the ideal time to introduce students to service learning experiences. Doing some good for someone else, especially if it is associated with careers and career exploration, will enhance one�s own self-esteem and positive development. Field trips related to service learning projects with a career influence, no matter how short the duration, can build positive outcomes. Research on middle school students has shown how service learning experiences can build positive strengths (Scales, 1999).

3. Show, by using examples from history, current events etc., how people�s careers are inextricably bound to their sense of self-worth and how happy they are in life.Upper grades1. Greater focus can be directed to serious career exploration and review. Detailed and directed assignments regarding career specifics and strengths can begin. Strength audits, taking stock of one�s assets and buffering strengths are techniques that can be productive.2. Linking expanded service learning experiences with career exploration can have ancillary positive outcomes. Educational requirements and the associated benefits of post secondary education should be explored.3. Allow students to focus on interviewing individuals in particular careers; getting at the dynamics of career benefits from a positive perspective is a good technique for this age group. Help students to identify and use their signature strengths in the interview process.4. Get parents and community members involved in planned evening events such as college nights and career nights, where specific interactions between the world of work/career and personal well-being/success are emphasized.                        K to 12 program is an innovation adapting the global trends making Filipino graduate a global classes that will bring more pride and honor to our country. This open more windows of opportunity and will provide complete tools for the Filipinos in facing the real world of challenge and competition. A competitive graduates will create more sophisticated ways of providing accompanying the needs of this past changing world.LET US ALL PROMOTE K+12 IN THE PHILIPPINES.