What is K to 12?
K to 12 (also K-12) is an education system under the Department of Education that aims to enhance learners’ basic skills, produce more competent citizens, and prepare graduates for lifelong learning and employment. “K” stands for Kindergarten and “12” refers to the succeeding 12 years of basic education (6 years of elementary education, 4 years of junior high school, and 2 years of senior high school).
At present, the Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of only three countries in the world with a 10-year pre-university program.

Why Push for K-12 Basic Education Program?

K-12 EDUCATION SYSTEM

• The K-12 program offers a decongested 12-year program that gives students sufficient time to master skills and absorb basic competencies.
• Students of the new system will graduate at the age of 18 and will be ready for employment, entrepreneurship, middle level skills development, and higher education upon graduation.
• The K-12 program accelerates mutual recognition of Filipino graduates and professionals in other countries.
• Kindergarten is mandatory for five-year-old children, a pre-requisite for admission to Grade 1.
• The new curriculum gives students the chance to choose among three tracks (i.e. Academic; Technical-Vocational-Livelihood; and Sports and Arts) and undergo immersion, which provides relevant exposure and actual experience in their chosen track. 

  The DepEd Vision

We dream of Filipinos
who passionately love their country
and whose values and competencies
enable them to realize their full potential
and contribute meaningfully to building the nation.
As a learner-centered public institution,
the Department of Education
continuously improves itself
to better serve its stakeholders.

The DepEd Mission

To protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where:
Students learn in a child-friendly, gender-sensitive, safe, and motivating environment.
Teachers facilitate learning and constantly nurture every learner.
Administrators and staff, as stewards of the institution, ensure an enabling and supportive environment for effective learning to happen.
Family, community, and other stakeholders are actively engaged and share responsibility for developing life-long learners.

 

DepEd Core Values

Maka-Diyos
Maka-tao
Makakalikasan
Makabansa

DepEd Mandate

The Department of Education was established through the Education Decree of 1863 as the Superior Commission of Primary Instruction under a Chairman. The Education agency underwent many reorganization efforts in the 20th century in order to better define its purpose vis a vis the changing administrations and charters. The present day Department of Education was eventually mandated through Republic Act 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education act of 2001 which establishes the mandate of this agency.
The Department of Education (DepEd) formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. It supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private; and provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.

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How DepEd Prepares for the K to 12 Program

In 2011, the Department of Education (DepEd) administered a shift to a fresh learning scheme — the K to 12 basic education program. Many people were resistant to the new education system. Despite this, the government is keen on revolutionizing the Philippine education. Here’s an update on how the government prepared in implementing the new education curriculum.

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