In a recent press release by the DepEd through the Philippine Information Agency, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro reiterates that he is behind P-noy to upgrade the country's basic education. "I am not having second thoughts and the President has my full support in this education reform agenda," said Luistro.
During his first State of the Nation (SONA) speech, President Aquino revealed plans to expand the Philippine basic education cycle from seven years to the global standard of 12 years.
The proposal has met stiff opposition from a militant teacher's group, however. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) believes that the "K plus 12 program" is anti-poor.
France Castro, secretary-general of the ACT, points out that "parents of poor students cannot afford the costs it will entail and it will prolong their agony how to survive schooling for their children in a situation where their basic income is not enough for their basic needs."
Ate M. echoed what the ACT said. She says it's already a challenge for her to have one child in school. Her other children have been forced to drop out because of the high cost of education.
"I really hope that the government doesn't push through with it (K-12). It's hard enough to find ways to make ends meet. Sending your children to public schools doesn't necessarily mean that you don't pay for anything. You have to spend for school projects and other miscellaneous fees. You have to give your children their allowance too. If this pushes through, I'll just take my child out of school," she concludes.
The details of "K plus 12 program" will be made public by the DepEd on October 5 2010, coinciding with the World Teachers Day.