WHAT IS K-12 PROGRAM?

The K to 12 Program 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 [SHS]) to
provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare
graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and
entrepreneurship.

WHY K-12 ?
Enhancing the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and critical. Why?
Poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores of Filipino students in
the National Achievement Test and international tests like TIMSS (Trends In Math and Science
Subject); partly due to the congested curriculum; The current 10-year basic education curriculum
is designed to be taught in 12 years.

 Our high school graduates are: > not adequately prepared for the world of work (most of
the basic education graduates are too young to legally enter the labor force (legal age would
be 18)
 not adequately prepared to pursue higher education; or if prepared; end up shifting
courses
The 10-year basic education cycle hinders the recognition of Filipino professionals abroad.

 The Washington Accord prescribes 12-years of basic education as an entry to recognition

of engineering professionals.
 The Washington Accord is dedicated to ease the mobility of professional
engineers. By recognizing engineering degrees as equivalent among all
signatory countries, it makes it easier for engineers to gain professional
registration in other countries, enhancing employment opportunities.

 The Bologna Accord also requires 12 years of education for university admission and
practice of profession in European countries.

 Filipinos are not automatically recognized as professionals overseas.Oct 24,

2010

The Philippines is the only country in Asia and among the three remaining countries in the world
that has a 10-year basic education cycle.

ASEAN Integration 2015 (Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)

 wider door for job markets HOWEVER competition will be tougher

 schools and universities have to compete with the world as “global athletes” not just
“barangay warriors”
 DepED, CHED, TESDA and DOLE should see to it that the academic curriculum and
technical skills would fit competition in the world market

The K to12 is Already a Law.  REPUBLIC ACT 10533 “Enhanced Basic Education Act of
2013”

WHAT IS SHS?
1
Senior High School (SHS) covers the last two years of the K to 12 program (Grades 11 and 12). 
These two additional years will equip learners with skills that will better prepare them for the
future whether it be:

1. Employment
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Skills Development
4. Higher Education (College)

Strengthened Curriculum
4 Tracks
>  Academic with the following strands:

 Accounting, Business and Management (ABM)

 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
 Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)
 General Academic Strand (GAS)

Technical-Vocational Livelihood
(increases employment opportunities through TESDA Certificates of Competencies, COC and
National Certificates, NC)

  Sports
 Arts and Designs

8 Core Learning Areas (Language, Math, Science, Communication, Philosophy,

Humanities, Social Sciences, P.E. & Health)
15 Core Subjects
16 Specialized and Contextualized Subjects
IMPORTANT: A student is considered only a GRADE 10 COMPLETER and NOT a High
School graduate if he does not go through Grades 11 and 12.

Funds Appropriation – Voucher Program

 will enable Grade 10 completers from Public and Private Junior High Schools  (JHS) to
enroll in schools offering Senior High School program beginning AY 2016-2017
 will allow students and their families to exercise greater choice in deciding the Senior
High School program that is most relevant to their needs and career goals; a certain amount
will be subsidized by DepEd to private SHS to offset the cost of  tuition

SHS students may pick a track based on how he or she will want to proceed after high
school graduation.