House Bill allowing K-12 students to choose from two academic paths after Grade 10 passes second reading
A new House bill has been proposed to amend the K-12 education system.
House Bill 11213, titled "An Act Providing Education Pathways for Basic Education Students," gives students "two educational pathways" to ease the burden of tuition costs on parents.
Lone Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, said the bill, which was recently approved on second reading, allows qualified students to skip senior high school (SHS) and move directly into college or university, or enroll in a technical-vocational program.
“An Honors Exam or advance placement examination shall be made available to graduating Grade 10 students, providing them the opportunity to BYPASS senior high school (Grades 11 and 12), contingent upon successful completion and passing of said exam,” the lawmaker said.
Called the “University Preparatory Program,” it aims "to develop and implement a comprehensive curriculum for SHS that shall prepare students for college admissions."
According to Romulo, the curriculum "shall not be divided into tracks or strands but shall consist of subjects that are eligible for credit in higher education, regardless of the degree program pursued by the students."
Meanwhile, students who do not meet the academic requirements for four-year university programs will be eligible for enrollment in the Technical-Vocational Program administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
"It is imperative to establish multiple education pathways tailored to the diverse abilities, talents, and skills of students while fostering their potential to excel by prioritizing and cultivating their individual strengths," Romulo added.
In 2022, a Pulse Asia survey showed that 44% of Filipinos were "dissatisfied" with the K-12 program. Moreover, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study in 2020 said that "only one (1) in five (5) SHS graduates enter the labor force upon graduation."
PIDS also revealed that the other half of those who enter the labor force after Grade 12 "choose to pursue higher education as they realize that employers prefer applicants with higher education credentials."
These figures paved the way for Romulo to seek to provide "every Filipino with various pathways in order for them to attain whatever they desire" in their educational attainment.
"Students who exhibit scholastic proficiency will be encouraged to remain in the academe, while those possessing TechVoc skills will be afforded better opportunities to refine and develop their abilities, thereby contributing to the betterment of society," Romulo explained.
Republic Act No. 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, was passed into law on May 15, 2013. It added two years of SHS to "broaden the goals of high school education for college preparation, vocational and technical career opportunities as well as creative arts, sports and entrepreneurial employment."
According to its rationale, it is considered "one of the most significant educational reforms in the country." It seeks to provide Filipino learners with the necessary skills and competence to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. (with reports from Delon Porcalla)
