THE COMMITTEE on Basic Education at the House of Representatives has agreed to form a technical working group to fine-tune the measure seeking to replace the K to 12 program with K + 10 + 2 program.

The panel chaired by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo urged all agencies involved to submit position papers on House Bill 7893 which amends Republic Act 10533 or the K to 12 curriculum filed by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.

Arroyo said that the K to 12 program failed in its mission to create job-ready graduates.

She stressed the need to replace K to 12 with K +10+2 program which will cover Kindergarten and 10 years of basic education. Those seeking to pursue degree studies can have an additional two years of post-secondary, pre-university education.

Arroyo, in her explanatory note, said Grades 11 and 12 were added to the country’s basic education program on the assumption that with the two additional years, senior high school graduates should be able to immediately get a job, or put up their own business should they chose not to pursue college.

“Unfortunately, the reality of the market seems to be that the private sector continues to prefer hiring college or university graduates over those who finish the K-to-12 program,” she said.