Understanding the K-12
Basic Education Program
“Education is the key to the long-term
problems of the country. If we fix basic
education, we fix the long-term problems
of the country. And if we fix the country’s
problems, we will build a truly strong
society. . .”
-Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III
12-Year Basic Education Cycle
Universal Kindergarten
Madaris Education
Technical-Vocational Education
Every Child a Reader by Grade One
Science and Math Proficiency
GASTPE (Gov. Assistance to Student and
Teachers to Private Education)
8. Medium of Instruction
9. Quality Textbooks
10. Covenant with LGUs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
10-Point Basic Education Agenda
The Philippines is the only remaining
country in Asia with a 10-year preuniversity program.
The majority who do not go to college are
too young to enter the labor force. Thus,
they would either be unemployed or be
vulnerable to exploitative labor practices.
 Those who may be interested to set up
businesses cannot legally enter into
contracts.

Our graduates are being
disadvantaged by their youth and
inadequate preparation. . .
The few, (only 23%) who would proceed
to tertiary education, usually have to
undergo remedial and high school level
classes in colleges and universities.
 Those who graduate (17%) may not be
recognized as professionals abroad.

Our graduates are being
disadvantaged by their youth and
inadequate preparation. . .
The Washington Accord prescribes 12
years of basic education as an entry to
recognition of engineering professionals.
 The Bologna Accord requires 12 years of
education for university admission and
practice of profession in European
countries.

Our graduates are being
disadvantaged by their youth and
inadequate preparation. . .
“We need to add two years to our basic
education. Those who can afford pay up
to fourteen years of schooling before
university. Thus, their children are getting
into the best universities and the best
jobs after graduation. I want at least 12
years for our public school children to give
them an even chance at succeeding.”
-Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III
2
years
4
years
6
years
1
year
• Senior High School
• Junior High School
• Elementary
• Kindergarten
K-6-4-2 System
Enhancement of the basic education
curriculum is the central focus of K to 12.
 The enhanced curriculum will offer areas
of specialization or electives such as
science and technology, arts, sports,
journalism, tech-voc, foreign language,
entreperneurship, and subjects for
advanced placement.

Key Features of K to 12
Vertical continuum and horizontal
articulation of competencies
 Mother Tongue as a learning area and
medium of instruction
 Spiral progression in Science and Math
 MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education,
and Health) begins in Grade 1

New Features of the K-12 Basic
Education Curriculum
Learning Areas for Grades 1 to 1o
Grades 1 to 6
Grades 7 -10
Learning Areas
Grade Levels
Mother Tongue
1-3
 English
1(2nd sem)-6
 Filipino
1-6
 Mathematics
1-6
 Araling Panlipunan
1-6
 Edukasyon sa
Pagpapakatao
1-6
 Science
3-6
 MAPEH
1-6
 EPP
4-5
 TLE
6

SAMPLE CLASS PROGRAMMING
Grade 1
Time
Learning Areas
7:00-7:15
7:15-7:25
Pambansang Awit
Homeroom
7:25-7:55
Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao
30
7:55-8:45
Mother Tongue
50
8:45-9:15
Filipino
30
9:15-9:35
RECESS
9:35-10:15
Araling Panlipunan
40
10:15-10:45
English (Oral Fluency)
2nd Semester
30
10:45-11:35
Mathematics
50
1:00-1:30
Remediation, Reinforcement,
Enrichment Activities or
Optional Religious Instruction
1:30-2:10
MAPEH
TOTAL
Number of Minutes
40
240/270
Time Allotment
NOMENCLATURE/
LEARNING AREA
Grades 1 to 6
(No. of Minutes Daily)
G1
G2
G3
G4
G5
G6
Grades 7
to 10
(Weekly)
1st
Sem.
2nd
Sem.
Mother Tongue
50
50
50
50
-
-
-
-
Filipino
30
30
50
50
50
50
50
4 hrs
English
-
30
50
50
50
50
50
4 hrs
Science
-
-
-
50
50
50
50
4 hrs
Mathematics
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
4 hrs
Araling Panlipunan
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
3 hrs
EPP/TLE
-
-
-
-
50
50
50
4 hrs
MAPEH
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
4 hrs
EsP
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
2 hrs
240
270
310
360
360
360
360
29 hrs
Language Arts
Total
Grades 7-12
Core Curriculum and Career Paths


Filipino learners, in order to be globally
competitive, need to develop 21st century core
skills( digital age literacy, inventive thinking,
effective communication, and high productivity)
and be functionally literate.
Aside from the development of 21st century core
skills, the extended high school program should
be packaged for the preparation of students for
career and higher education. This is because
secondary education is designed primarily to
provide the transition from school to work and
from school to further learning.
Premises

The curriculum shall be designed to
provide a blended career and college
preparatory program. Putting the two on
the same level and blending them will
enhance the seamless relationship
between career and higher education and
give them equal social and economic
value.
Premises
Grades
11-12
Grade
10
Grade
9
Grade
8
Grade
7
Academic
Specialization:
• Core Academic Areas (5)
• Core Academic Areas(8)
include TLE (choice of AgriFishery, Industrial Arts, HE or
ICT)
• Core Academic Areas (8)
include TLE (choice of AgriFishery, Industrial Arts, HE or
ICT)
• Core Academic Areas (8)
include TLE (choice of AgriFishery, Industrial Arts, HE or
ICT)
• Core Academic Areas (8)
include TLE (choice of AgriFishery, Industrial Arts, HE or
ICT)
Engineering/
Journalism/Foreign
Language
Tech-Voc
Specialization
Sports/Arts
Specialization
MODEL 2
Junior/Senior HS
Curriculum
SY
20152016
SY
20142015
SY
20132014
SY
20122013
• Grade 10
• Grade 9
• Grade 8
• Grade 7
Implementation of Junior HS
SY
20172018
SY
20162017
• Grade 12
• Grade 11
Implementation of Senior HS
Learning Areas for Grades 11 and 12
Learning Areas
Language*
Grade 11
English
Filipino
Literature*
Grade 12
English
Filipino
Philippine Literature (1st Sem)
World Literature (2nd Sem)
Mathematics*
Math
Math
Science*
Life Sciences
Physical Science
Social Sciences
and Philosophy*
Contemporary Issues Contemporary Issues (Global)
Philosophy (Local)
Career Pathways
(Track-dependent)
Entrepreneurship,
TechVoc**
Others (Arts, Sports,
Security, Journalism,
Science, etc)
Entrepreneurship, TechVoc**
Others (Arts, Sports, Security,
Journalism, Science, etc)
Others
National Service
Training Program
National Service Training
Program
•Anchored on the College Readiness Standards of CHED
•** Based on TESDA Training Regulations
Senior High School benefits different
students in different ways.
Students who
Students who
Students who
finish high
complete 2 years complete college
• Reduction in
school then work
of college or
college years
• Better income
post-secondary
offsets additional
opportunities;
• Reduction in
years of
higher income
cost of schooling
schooling
streams
with additional 2
• Higher
• Cost due to
years of “free”
productivity
delayed
education
(about 9%
employment
income premium)
offset by higher
• Higher college
income streams
completion rates

A full 12 years of basic education will be
required for entry into tertiary level
education by SY 2018-2019.
Completion of K to 12 education
shall be compulsory for those who
will go to college/university.
Graduates of K to 12 Basic Education
Program are envisaged to be better
prepared for life as they are expected to
 possess sufficient mastery of 21st century
core skills;
 be emotionally developed and competent
to live a meaningful life;
 be socially aware, pro-active and involved
in public and civic affairs;
Vision
be adequately prepared for the world of
work or entrepreneurship or higher
education;
 be legally employable; and
 be globally competitive.

Vision
An enhanced curriculum will decongest
academic workload, giving students more
time to master competencies and time for
extra-curricular activities, thus, allowing
for their more holistic development.
 Graduates will possess competencies and
skills relevant to the job market.
 Graduates will be better prepared for
higher education.

Benefits of K to 12 to Individuals
and Families
Graduates will be able to earn higher
wages and/or better prepared to start
their own business. Studies in the
Philippines have shown that an additional
year of schooling increases earnings by
7.5%.
 Filipino graduates could be recognized
abroad.

Benefits of K to 12 to Individuals
and Families
K to 12 will contribute to economic
growth. Several studies have shown that
the improvements in the quality of
education will increase GDP growth by as
much as 2%.
 A better educated society provides a
sound foundation for long-term socioeconomic development.

Benefits of K to 12 to Society and
the Economy
Free for those in public schools
 Subsidized by the Government for those
in the ESC program

Who will cover the cost of the
additional two years in high
school?
MORE POWER AND GOOD DAY EVERYONE!!!