Possible questions and the answers:
Don’t you think that the demand of the budget would be higher because of
K12? Wouldn’t it be lesser if we revert to the Ten-year basic education?
- The demands may have increased but the budget has also increased for the
K-12 curriculum which is more than 500 BILLION PESOS! This is already
enough as it adjusts to our current needs.
What is the assurance that there is corruption in the agency?
Well other than the misuse of funds by DepEd that I mentioned in my speech, we
also have the case of Sarah Duterte who spent 125 million pesos in just 11 days
wherein the money went to a non-existent person such as Mary Grace Piattos! And
that is only one in many cases Ms. Speaker!
Jesus Nieves former regional director of DepEd convicted of pocketing public funds.
(diverted P6.1 million in agency funds to a dormant account 2007)
8 former and current officials of DepEd who were also charged of graft and perjury
against the "highly irregular" laptop procurement project in 2021.
former budget and finance officer Emilia Aranas and Ernesto Guiang of the Department of
Education.
were convicted over the anomalous procurement of P24 million worth of textbook
Don’t you think if we remove SHS, we would need lesser resources or
laptop therefore we would reduce corruption
- It does not follow Mr. Speaker, because those laptops are also used by Junior
high school students and elementary teachers, Mr. Speaker. It is not just for SHS.
Don’t you think that we will lessen corruption if we remove SHS?
- Of course not Mr. Speaker. Corruption has already been existent even before
the K-12 was implemented, which is why we suggest to strictly implement
anti-corruption mechanisms such as the Anti-graft and corrupt practices act,
government procurement act (RA 9184 and RA 12009), or DepEd Order No. 7,
s. 2022 which is the Anti-corruption committees.
Are you aware of how much was the proposed budget in the National
expenditure program
- P748 billion
And are you aware of how much was approved?
- P737 billion
Don’t you think it is significantly smaller than the proposed budget for the
year 2025
- No, Mr. Speaker, the budget is enough because it is approved by the
Congress
Don’t you think we should remove SHS so that the approved budget would
be enough for their needs?
- First of all Mr. Speaker, it is enough and since it is a gradual implementation,
removing senior high school will not solve the problem in the misuse of funds.
And if SHS is removed, the approved budget will also be deducted as parts of
the budget are specifically allocated for senior high school.
You have mentioned that K-12 has improved outcomes in academic,
employment, and entrepreneurship.
- To which were stated by multiple studies and the Philippine News Agency
themselves.
What is the proof that K-12 has enhanced student readiness of high
education.
- The passing rate Mr. Speaker went up from 30% to 52% when K-12 was
implemented
How can you say that K-12 has improved the employability of students.
- According to the PIDS, SHS earn 19% and have a 16.2% higher employment
rate than JHS graduates.
But despite this, there are still those who find it hard to get a job and
employers still prefer to employ college graduates.
Well actually Mr. Speaker, according to the Philippine Business of Education, 4 out of
5 companies and hiring SHS, therefore negating the notion that employers reject
the idea of hiring SHS graduates
You mentioned that there are no calls for the reversion. Are you not aware
that DepEd Undersecretary Francis Bringas said that DepEd eyes to roll
the revision of the K-12 curriculum?
- It is important to understand that what Francis Bringas only wishes to revise
the “content” or learning competency of K-10 but not reversion or going back
to the Ten-year basic education curriculum.
Ms. Speaker are you aware that 50% of Filipinos are dissatisfied
- They are only dissatisfied with the implementation of the curriculum but are
not pushing for the reversion to the Ten-year basic education curriculum.
You mentioned that Congress does not have any legislative action
- No Mr. Speaker, because those bills that you mention have an entirely
different purpose and not at all for a reversion to the Ten-year basic education
curriculum. These bills do not propose to remove the senior high school
curriculum.
You mentioned that the president he wants DepEd focus
- He can but it is the decision that stands right now.
You have mentioned that the implementation of the K-12 has
shortcomings, so wouldn’t it be better to remove it.
- The problem is in the implementation not in the curriculum. There are even
several effort to improve the curriculum like DO 24, s. 2022 which the long
term basis of DepEd to improve learning outcomes. There is also the newly
released DM 1, s. 2025.
Wont reverting to the Ten-year basic education will lower corruption
- It is does not follow as corruption has already been existent even before the
K-12 was implemented, which is why our suggestion is much more better as
we will strengthen the anti-corruption mechanisms through stricter
observance.
How long has the Ten-year basic education improved
- It has not improved Ms. Speaker because the fact that it was changed to the
K-12 just shows that it has not improved at all whatsoever remained
stagnant.
Whats the guarantee that the government will even consider your
suggestion.
- Because our suggestions already have a basis such as the laws that I have
stated in my speech, unlike your proposal which does not only have no
support from DepEd themselves, but also has NO BILL from the legislative,
clearly showing that no one in the government supports your proposal.
You mentioned that the COA revealed that DepEd failed to liquidate 23
billion pesos, right?
Yes, showing that there is clear improper use of funds, which is why
CHED calling for the discontinuation of the senior high school
Streamlined curriculum