In a historic moment for advocates of educational equity, President Benigno Aquino III approved Republic Act (RA) 10533, signing into law the K+12 program on May 15, 2013.
The K+12 program covers kindergarten and twelve years of basic education — six years of primary schooling, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school. By adding two years to the current educational system, K+12 aims to provide mastery of skills for lifelong learners and prepare them for career opportunities. The program also contextualizes lessons to students, as concepts will be explained using local culture with the use of the students’ respective mother tongues. The curriculum also prepares graduates to acquire mid-level skills that will allow them more opportunities even in the global job market.
During the signing ceremony, President Aquino stated that the K+12 program that “this law will empower the next generation of Filipinos”. Teach for the Philippines shares that vision as we leave our mark on our country through our goal of achieving educational equity.