Reach out to SHS enrollees, Luistro orders school officials

MANILA, Philippines – Education Secretary Armin Luistro has ordered all school officials to conduct “Youth Find” activities to ensure that all incoming Grade 11 students are enrolled for the senior high school (SHS) program.

Youth Find involves tapping community leaders to locate and account for Grade 10 completers who have not yet enrolled for SHS.

“With the support of local officials and civic organizations, all regional directors and schools division superintendents shall conduct an advocacy campaign to inform and encourage out-of-school youth and potential returning learners to enrol in SHS,” Luistro said.

“Youth Find activities should be launched simultaneously with SHS enrolment,” he added.

Luistro urged prospective Grade 11 students to enrol early as slots in some tracks in the new SHS program will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Division offices and schools shall conduct community and home visits in coordination with government and non-government agencies to assess the needs of learners not yet enrolled in SHS, and plan for the appropriate learner support to provide them,” he added.

Luistro said that schools near indigenous cultural communities shall ensure universal enrolment of SHS-eligible learners.

Alliance vs K - 12 appeals to Duterte

Meanwhile, an alliance of students, teachers and other advocates recently launched a petition asking incoming president Rodrigo Duterte to stop the implementation of the program.

“Across sectors, we stand firm and united in our demand to stop the K - 12 program. Today, we wish to show President Duterte that there is a growing number of youth and students, teachers, parents and other members of our society who are looking forward to his actions against the anti-people K - 12 policy,” League of Filipino Students secretary-general and Stop K - 12 Alliance convener Aries Gupit said.

“We ask president Duterte to announce his plans of action against K - 12 as soon as possible since we only have three weeks before classes start. His declaration, even if it is before his inauguration, will greatly alleviate the anxieties of the people and provide perspective on how to go about this school year,” he added.

During the campaign period, Duterte said he is not sold on the idea of the additional two years in basic education.

He later said that he is in support of the program, although he stressed the need to improve the capability of teachers.

In a press conference last week, Duterte said he would have to consult with the next education secretary before he can come up with a firm stand on the matter.