Lawmaker calls on DepEd to expedite K-12 review

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to expedite its internal review of the K-12 program amid continuing reports of low employment rates for graduates of the program.

Gatchalian stressed that the review of the K-12 curricula is important to boost the employability of graduates.

“Because of the K-12 goal of enabling graduates to get immediate employment, we have to adjust its curriculum to prepare those graduates for success based on the current and future needs of the labor market,” he said.

A survey conducted by Jobstreet Philippines in April found that only 24 percent of Philippine employers are willing to hire fresh graduates of the K-12 program. An earlier survey conducted by non-profit organization Philippine Business for Education (PBE) revealed that three out of every five companies are open to hiring K-12 graduates, but only one in five is ready to do so.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced in July that the department would conduct a “thorough review” of the K-12 curricula after two years of implementation.

Director Jocelyn Andaya of the Bureau of Curriculum Development said the review is still ongoing, with initial results expected around February next year.