K-12 needs reform not repeal – group

MANILA, Philippines — More groups on Saturday backed the continued implementation of the K-12 program, saying reforms – and not a repeal – is needed in the implementation of the senior high school (SHS) curriculum.

The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) joined various universities, schools, religious institutions, private sector representatives and civil society groups in supporting the K-12 program, amid renewed calls to abolish the SHS program.

In a statement, PEAC executive director Doris Ferrer acknowledged the frustrations hounding the implementation of the program, but cautioned against abandoning it entirely.

Ferrer urged stakeholders to commit to meaningful reforms and work together to address execution gaps. 

“We hear the discontent. They are real and valid, but the answer is not to dismantle a policy designed to provide equal opportunities to Filipino learners. The solution is to implement it effectively and efficiently,” she said.

Ferrer said the primary intent of K-12 was to level the playing field between private and public school students.

“Before the reform, only students from private schools had access to more comprehensive programs that better prepared them for different pathways such as college, employment and entrepreneurship,” she added.

Ferrer maintained that the K-12 is fundamentally a pro-poor policy, and to undo it now would be to reverse a critical step toward equity in our education system.

“We must align our learners with global standards if we want them to thrive locally and internationally, amid a fast-changing, competitive world,” she said. 

Ferrer asked the government, private sector and civil society to urgently address three aspects, including stabilizing the curriculum and deploying clear, credible assessment tools to measure progress; enforcing rigorous quality standards for all SHS providers and addressing resource gaps, particularly through an expanded voucher system and strengthened public-private partnerships.

She warned that repealing K-12 would displace thousands of trained SHS teachers and put to waste years of investments in infrastructure and human capital.