Bacolod City Urges Congress to Review K to 12 Program
Bacolod City local leaders have called for a thorough review of the government’s K to 12 program, raising serious questions about its effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce and global competition. Their unified appeal came through a resolution passed last week, urging Congress to reevaluate the senior high school system to ensure basic education becomes more relevant, affordable, and accessible to all Filipinos.
The Bacolod City council, through councilor Caesar Distrito, formally requested the Senate and the House of Representatives, including Bacolod City Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, to undertake this important review. Distrito emphasized that the K to 12 system, implemented in 2013 under Republic Act No. 10533, has not met expectations in readying students for immediate employment or a global workplace.
Concerns Over K to 12 Program Effectiveness
“Despite more than a decade of implementation, data show no substantial improvement in education quality or employability,” Distrito explained. “Instead, the program has created heavier financial burdens for our students and families—especially those from low-income communities.” These concerns echo growing doubts about the program’s promise to enhance Filipino students’ competitiveness.
The city council highlighted the Philippines’ poor outcomes in international assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Rising dropout rates also alarm local officials, who attribute this to the economic strain caused by the two additional years of schooling. Moreover, many employers continue to prefer college graduates, making the senior high school diploma less valuable in the job market.
National Debate on K to 12
Earlier, Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed a bill proposing the abolition of the senior high school program. Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently acknowledged the need to reassess and possibly overhaul the K to 12 curriculum in response to public dissatisfaction and perceived shortcomings.
Distrito noted, “Many sectors—including teachers, students, and parents—are now calling for a return to the 10-year basic education cycle, focusing on strengthening foundational skills, teacher training, and system reform. We hope Congress will take this appeal seriously.”
Opposition and Calls for Reform
Despite the calls to scrap the program, prominent educational groups like the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (CBCP-ECCED) strongly oppose this move. They describe it as “untimely” and “dangerously shortsighted.” Instead, these groups advocate for meaningful reforms within the K to 12 curriculum to address current issues.
Local leaders noted that improving the quality and relevance of education should be the priority rather than eliminating senior high school altogether. The ongoing debate reflects a nationwide concern about how best to prepare Filipino youth for future challenges without imposing undue financial burdens.
For more news and updates on K to 12 program, visit Filipinokami.com.
