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Education is not supposed to be a
luxury. Neither, it is an ornament nor just a symbol of one’s status in life; education,
rather, is a necessary facet for development. In the realm of Philippine
Educational System, there is a challenge now among the teachers, learners and
even different institutions to meet to the demands of the fast changing world. This
involves the implementation of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program. Basically, it includes the Universal
Kindergarten, 6 years of elementary, 4 years of junior high school with an
additional 2 years for senior high school.
With
the vision and fundamental goals and objectives of the Enhanced K+12 Basic
Education Program, it signifies the change in curriculum. Since this program
aims to decongest and enhance the basic education curriculum, it shows that we
can expect better and quality education for all if properly implemented.
Additionally, this gives the students more time to master competencies and
skills as well as the time for more learning experiences and opportunities
beyond the classroom, thus allowing them for more holistic development. The
program tries to offer minus 2 instead of plus 2 years for those families who
cannot afford a college education but still wish to have their children find a
good paying job. In today’s competition in the world of work, you need to win
the race with your college diploma, if none, you will be just the least
priority. Most parents spend for at least 4 years of college to have a child
who has the most possibility of employment. In this model of educational system,
parents will not pay for 2 years of basic education that will give them an
employable child. In effect, the program is saving parents 2 years of college expenses.
The plan is not “Plus 2 years before graduation” but “Minus 2 years before work.
These two years in the program will be utilized in the preparation of the
individual tasks to be mastered upon for future advantage in the world of work.
Consequently,
a person who will undergo in this program will end up being more emotionally
mature and thus, ready to face the world of work competently. This is also due
to the enhanced curriculum that provides relevant context for the individual to
learn and be attuned with the changing needs of times. Thus, basic education
will ensure sufficient mastery of core subjects to its graduates such that
graduates may plan or opt to pursue higher education if they choose to.
Moreover,
the graduates can now compete in the world market because of the standardized
and enhanced curriculum. The recognition of such can boost their sense of self
as being recognized professionals in other countries. Hence, we can say that
basic education is not just preparation for college life but preparation for
working life, for job employment, for future career. In addition to that, a
better educated society provides and brings a sound foundation for long-term
socio-economic development and will experience accelerated growth in the long
run.
This
program is proposed to start in the school year 2012-2013 for grade 1 and first
year high school students. The full implementation of the program will be on
the school year 2018-2019.
With
these promising visions and goals of the new program, does it really provide the
solutions for the many problems that we need to address in the present? What kind
of work will possibly be waiting for the K+12 graduates? Could the government cater enough jobs for
them? We know the very fact that a great number of college graduates even are
still unemployed. How much more for the high school graduates? We might be
overwhelmed with its idealism; however, we might forget what would be the other
implications of this program aside from the impact to Higher Educational
Institutions.
To
contextualize this issue, the seminary formation remains silent on this matter.
However, the possible effect of this new program is never a vintage issue to
hide on. Church leaders also take into consideration the threat it brings to
our seminary formation and even to the church as a whole. Looking at the status
quo, it caters us myriad of differences, social upheavals, changing norms and
spiritual trends that are prevalent in our society. These may threaten our
church and even our faith. The competition for survival is already at hand.
Unfortunately, we are somehow entering into an era of no religion wherein
material possession is given much emphasis for survival. These concerns lessen
the number of the faithful to live the life of religious or for the priesthood.
The church is craving for more priests. That is why, the seminary formators
exert their best effort to invite young men to discern for their vocation by
submitting their life to the formation. Now, here comes another challenge, the
Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program. What would be its implication to the
seminary formation? By the year 2016 and 2017, there will be no high school
graduates, because at that time, the two years extension (senior high school)
will be implemented. More or less, the decrease in population of the
seminarians to undergo formation is expected and there will be no incoming freshmen.
This would be a hard time to the formators and vocation promoters to sustain
and nourish the seed of religious vocation for the next generation. Aside from
that, six years of honing skills and competencies of the students in high
school will be enough for good paying job. So, students may refuse to seize
further study or even to go through in the formation for they are already
secured of their employment. Furthermore, K+12 graduates may prefer employment
rather than discernment for it may be that formation will be less attractive.
If they will already enjoy their freedom and independence in the world of work,
there will be refusal for discernment wherein structured life in the formation
is somehow a wage to take. Moreover, the prevalence of materialistic outlook in
life will dominate and prevail in the minds of K+12 graduates for they have
given high regard on skills for job opportunities and competencies needed in
the competition in the world of work. With this instance, the spiritual growth
of the graduates might be disregarded and put aside under materialism. Indeed, the
impending effects of the K+12 program on the seminarians’ formation, our future
priests, on our church and collectively our faith is quite enormous that it needs
to be considered before a decision will be imposed.
As
Christians, this might be a cause for alarm. This will serve as a substantial
premonition for us to prepare for more challenges that we are going to
encounter in our journey as a church, as people of God. This is a challenge to
all of us now to stand firm in our faith despite the leaps and bounds and
storms that will stumble us in our way towards Him. The virtue of hope and
faith will be our helmet and shield to fight in this battle against
materialism.
