The shift of the academic format in the Philippines to the K to 12 system has shook the hallways of the country’s schools and universities. With advisories coming in left and right, both parents and students have been wondering what major changes they can expect from the curriculum and the academic calendar. Here are 11 things that every student and parent should know about the K to 12 system.

1. The K to 12 shift will be fully felt by 2018 when the first batch of Grade 12 students would have graduated. This batch of students would have undergone the full program, experiencing all the changes in the curriculum.

2. The major difference in the curriculum would be the offering of college subjects in high school. The goal of senior high school (Grades 11 and 12) is to have students better equipped to join the workforce should they choose to do so.

3. Because of the inclusion of vocational/technical skills, students are prepared for the workforce earlier. This may be a welcome relief for parents who will actually be spending less. When students opt to start working after Grade 12, they still have the option to proceed to college and are then financial independent to do so. ​

4. K to 12 in public schools is free. Students in public schools can now experience the same 12-year education that some private schools have already been doing. This would give more students the opportunity to secure a good future upon graduation.

5. The three tracks that students can choose from in their senior high school are Academic, Sports and Arts, and Technical-Vocational-Livelihood. These three tracks have corresponding electives which would train students in their respective fields of interests.

6. The students will undertake aptitude tests and career assessment exams to give them an idea of what subjects they would ultimately want to take. The choice will, of course, depend on the students, but these tests will help them determine their inclination towards certain paths should they still be undecided.

7. The mandated age for Kinder by the Department of Education is 5 years old.

8. The government has forged agreements within business sectors to ensure the availability of employment opportunities for graduates of the K to 12 system.

9. Graduates of the K to 12 system will be equipped with the following: information, media and technology skills; learning and innovation skills; effective communication skills; and life and career skills.

10. K to 12 puts the Phil educational system at par with those in most other countries, making Filipino graduates more competitive.

11. Students will learn more easily and retain more because lessons are no longer taught in a compressed/rushed manner. This leads to more focused on core subjects, better ensuring acquisition of knowledge and skills.

These changes will definitely have repercussions on any student’s academic workload. AHEAD, the country’s leading tutorial and review center, is fully equipped to help students at this critical time in their academic journey.

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