'Suspend K to 12 education program'

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Students, youths and parents staged a protest rally on Monday outside the Department of Education (DepEd)-Division of Aklan office. Militant groups marked the June 1 opening of classes calling for the suspension of the K to 12 program of the Aquino government. 

K to 12 is a flagship education reform effort or an additional  two years to basic education to the present 10-year education program was institutionalized through Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

Jason Estrada, chairperson of Anakbayan-Aklan said, “K to 12 is a big lie. It is designed to export more young, skilled and vulnerable to be exploited and abused labor force abroad”.

“The national government is keeping its ears close to hear people’s opposition against K to 12,” he said. 

Kim-Sin Tugna, chairperson of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Aklan also belittled the national government program to make the Filipino students globally competitive.  

“K to 12 program serves as an added burden to parents in sending their children to school, implementation of this program will only heighten the rising number of students who will not be able to sustain their studies,” he said. 

Antonio R. Esmeralda, small fisher-folks leader under Pambansang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya)-Aklan also denounced the implementation of K to 12 program this year. 

Esmeralda said, “what we are going to spend for the skills training kits for our children on their vocational-technical years in high school under K+12 when at this point, the 1998 Fisheries Code is dislocating fisherfolk from their very source of living? Instead of K+12, why doesn’t this government fulfills its obligation to provide free, scientific and nationalist education for all at all levels?” 

Worse, Esmeralda stressed, “while the nation needs more skilled workers, K+12 mislead the people from the genuine essence of development. Nation building is not equal to production of modern slaves and total sell-out of our country’s patrimony and sovereignty.”