Marie Ernestine adopts Enhanced K+12 curriculum

CEBU, Philippines - Following the University of San Carlos, another private school in Cebu will be adopting the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Curriculum this opening of classes.

Dr. Teena Fajatin, president of Marie Ernestine School (MES), said they are supporting the program, which would allow them to implement what has long been planned for the school. 

Fajatin said adopting the Enhanced K+12 curriculum will not call for a major transition because the school has already started implementing changes in its curriculum. 

Fajatin said the school’s kindergarten curriculum has been successful in preparing a child for grade school. MES has also added specialized subjects in high school that would help prepare students for college and even for job hunting.

MES is the region’s pioneer in the use of Cooperative Learning, Authentic Assessment and Dimensions of Learning since 1975. It has levels of academics in Nursery, Kindergarten, Preparatory, Elementary and High School and currently has two campuses in Canjulao, Lapu-lapu City and Tac-an, Talamban, Cebu City.

Its curriculum and programs are in line with international development in education and intended to primarily serve Cebu’s multinational community. In fact, Fajatin said many of the school’s high school graduates have gained acceptance to college and universities in the United States, Europe, Canada and other countries.

Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) are optimistic that the first phase of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Curriculum will be implemented this year without a hitch.

President Benigno Aquino III himself is strongly pushing for the program.

The program will begin this year, school year 2011-2012, in which children are mandated to attend kindergarten. Next year, school year 2012-2013, the new curriculum adopting the 12-year basic education will be implemented.

One year will be added each to elementary and high school curriculum. The first batch of students under the new curriculum will be graduating on 2018.

Taking various proposals and studies into consideration, DepEd is proposing the so-called K-6-4-2 model, which involves kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (grades 7 to 10), and two years of senior high school (grades 11 to 12). The two years of senior high school intend to provide time for students to secure acquired academic skills and competence.

DepEd contended that Kindergarten and 12 years of quality basic education is a right of every Filipino. It will be provided by the government and will be free. Those who go through the 12-year cycle will get an elementary diploma, a junior high school diploma, and a senior high school diploma. — (FREEMAN)