DepEd-7 bares success of Senior High program

CEBU, Philippines - Months since the opening of classes, the Department of Education-Cebu has proved critics of the Senior High School program wrong as it cited some accomplishments since this was implemented.

Among others, the number of SHS enrollees has even exceeded the target, which critics have earlier doubted, said Dr. Isaiash Wagas, the Senior High School coordinator of DepEd Cebu Province Division.

In yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA, Wagas reported that as of July 7, a total of 25,724 SHS students are enrolled this school year, exceeding the 22,000 target.

 These students are from 232 private and public schools in 44 municipalities under DepEd-Cebu Province Division, the biggest among the 13 divisions of DepEd in Central Visayas.

"In the public school system, there is a high preference for the Technical-Vocational Livelihood (T-VL) track but in private schools, more students chose the General Academic Strand (GAS) which is under the Academic Track," said Wagas.

Of the more than 25,000 enrollees, 8,811 chose the T-VL Track, he said.

Also amid criticisms that the K to 12 Program was forcefully enforced, Wagas said the curriculum has been readied in 2013 and was introduced to qualified SHS teachers who have gone series of capability-building trainings.

With regards to the construction of additional classrooms intended for the SHS program, Wagas clarified that the Department of Public Works and Highways is the one undertaking the infrastructure projects.

Wagas, nevertheless, admitted that DepEd also experienced minor birth pains upon the implementation of the new educational program.

"I have to admit, the implementation of Senior High School was rippled by issues that are even not precise. Maybe, there were only limited information drives to really educate the people as we journey with the transition period in the implementation from this school year to the next," he said.

DepEd-Cebu also created linkages with private organization such as the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., aside from the Cebu Provincial Government that provides financial and technical support.

The Coalition for Better Education also supports DepEd by providing trainings prioritizing public school teachers and assisting educators in coming up with good instructional materials. (FREEMAN)