The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomed the move of the House of Representatives to review the effectiveness of the K to 12 program.

In a statement, DepEd said that since the previous budget hearings, they have been working closely with the House and that a review would make way for comprehensive discussions and the chance to address concerns about the program.

“A dedicated review session will provide an appropriate venue to comprehensively discuss concerns about the program and plot out corresponding solutions,” the statement read.

This comes after the remark of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday that the House was in consensus about K to 12 not “living up to its promise, which is, after you finish senior high school, you don’t have to go to college.”

The department said that with the additional PHP650-million budget dedicated to the improvement of K to 12, they would work with members of Congress in creating strategies for its effective implementation.

“DepEd commits to coordinate and collaborate with the members of the Congress in strategizing the effective implementation of the program in adherence to Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 for the benefit of the learners,” the DepEd said.

The DepEd added they hoped the review would result in renewed commitment from lawmakers and other stakeholders for the program and its goal of “holistically-developed Filipino learners with 21st-century skills.”

On the same day, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo R. Duterte will not interfere with the House’s decision to review K to 12.

He added that Presidential daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte’s opinion against the 12-year basic education program was just a personal opinion.

“Iyon ang sabi ng bata but siyempre (That’s what the child prefers but of course), it’s Congress that will decide,” Panelo said.

In October, the House increased the proposed budget of the DepEd for next year by PHP800 million — from PHP550.89 billion, as submitted in the National Expenditure Program of the Department of Budget and Management, to PHP551.69 billion.

While PHP650 million will go to DepEd’s maintenance and other operating expenses to boost the K to 12 program, the remaining PHP150 million will be used for the building of model daycare centers nationwide under the Early Childhood Care and Development Council.

Cayetano said the increase was for the provision of equipment, training for teachers, and other necessities to help realize K to 12’s goal of high school graduates landing jobs without college degrees. (PNA)