Half of Filipino adults ‘dissatisfied’ with K-12 — survey

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 29) — A survey revealed that 50% of Filipino adults are dissatisfied with the K-12 basic education program.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll published on Thursday also said 39% were satisfied with the curriculum, 9% were undecided, and 2% do not have enough knowledge of the program. 

SWS also reported that majority, or 89%, preferred the June-March academic calendar, while 10% favored September-June, and only 1% had no a preference.

Conducted on June 28-July 1, the poll was done through face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide. It has a ±2.5% margin of error.

After a two-year review, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Sept. 25 began the pilot implementation of the recalibrated MATATAG K-10 program in 35 schools across the country. The agency said the updated curriculum was decongested by as much as 70%, with learning competencies substantially lessened to around 3,600 from over 11,000 to give more time to "foundational skills for a better learning outcome." 

READ: Pass or fail? The K-12 program 11 years after its launch

Formal rollout will begin in Kinder, and Grades 1, 4, and 7 by school year 2024-2025; Grades 2, 5, and 8 in 2025-2026; Grades 3, 6, and 9 in 2026-2027; and Grade 10 in 2027-2028.

Meanwhile, officials are still evaluating the program for Grades 11-12.