PH education system not ready for K+12 program – Rep. Ilagan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/23 May) — A party-list representative from Mindanao has expressed opposition to the K+12 program saying this will worsen the perennial problems facing the country’s public education system even as the Program’s supporters in Congress argue that the program seeks to enhance the skills and competitive edge of graduates in the international labor market.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, in an interview here Friday, said the current public education system is not yet ready for the program.

“The K+12 program will further compound our public education system simply because it is still facing a lot of logistical and personnel problems. Grabe nga kakulangon sa mga classrooms, teachers ug sa mga teachers nga naga-serve na sa DepEd, aduna’y problema pa gyud sa ilang mga suhulan,” (There’s a dire lack of classrooms, teachers and for teachers serving the Department of Education, there’s also a problem with their salaries) Ilagan, who was in town last week said.

Ilagan, a member of House committees on appropriation and basic education, said the program will be an added burden to parents when classes open this June.