K+12 to produce skilled workers

AN education official assured that the country’s reformed educational system will produce adequately prepared, legally employable and globally competitive members of the work force.

With basic education schools starting to accept senior high school students (Grades 11 and 12) in June next year, the Department of Education (DepEd) assures that the additional two years would not be a waste of time and money.

Senior high school students according to DepEd-7 Dir. Carmelita Dulangon, will be trained on technical skills that will qualify them to work immediately after graduation.

Unlike the present system, high school graduates need to either take vocational courses before they can be eligible for work or proceed to college for a bachelor’s degree.

Patterned after the educational systems in developed countries, the K+12 gives a better option for high school graduates to work or proceed to college.

“We want to produce students already prepared to chose what course to take when they go to college” Dr. Dulangon said.

Aside from that, Dulangon said that current high school graduates, mostly 16 year olds cannot be legally employed as companies require one to reach the legal age of 18.

In addressing these concerns, DepEd already established a curriculum intended for the senior high schools. Aside from training in technical skills, the student will be prepared to choose which professional path he or she will take.

“Many college students stops or change courses after they realize they don’t fit or like the course they have chosen,” she said.

Rebecca Acheta, a school administrator of STI Cebu said, they were already preparing and will start in the next school year to accept senior high schools, “most of our teachers are already LET passers as what has been required of us to handle senior high schools.”