House urged to probe K-12 implementation

MANILA, Philippines – A law dean-turned-lawmaker is pushing for a congressional inquiry on the implementation of the K-12 program, which adds two years in the country’s basic education system.

1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. recently filed Resolution No. 75 before the House of Representatives, seeking an investigation in aid of legislation by the committees on basic education and higher and technical education on the full implementation of the K-12 program under the Enhanced Basic Education Act.

“This resolution aims to get an official report from Department of Education (DepEd) as to the problems it encountered upon the opening of the Senior High School Program, so that we in Congress may pass supportive or corrective legislative measures,” Belaro told reporters in Manila yesterday. 

The government started implementing the controversial program as classes opened last month while legal questions raised by several groups remain pending before the Supreme Court (SC).  

Last year, four petitions were filed before the SC. These are from the Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities of the Philippines, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and a group of college teachers and staff called Suspend K-12 Coalition.

Other petitioners are Suspend K-12 Alliance led by Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate, and a group of parents and teachers from Manila Science High School.

The petitioners argued that the K-12 law violated their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. They assailed the lack of consultation with parents and teachers prior to the issuance of the order. 

Petitioners also accused the DepEd of usurping legislative powers in issuing Order No. 31, which implemented the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum and Senior High School.

Belaro also sought a congressional inquiry on reported unliquidated P1billion scholarship funds of the Commission on Higher Education through Resolution No. 74.

“This resolution was inspired by the death of Kristel Tejada, the UP Manila student who committed suicide because she had no money to pay for tuition. Yet CHED was reported to have around P1 billion in unspent funds earmarked for scholarships,” the lawmaker explained.