Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
15 May 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law Republic Act 10533, known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 that promulgate the salient features outlined under the K to 12 Act.

“Malinaw ang batayang prinsipyo ng batas na ito: karapatan ng bawat Pilipinong mamuhay nang marangal; tungkulin naman ng estadong siguraduhing may patas na oportunidad ang ating mamamayan, lalo na ang pinakamahirap nating kababayan,” he said.

According to the President, since he took oath in office it has been the government’s priority to increase the budget allotted for basic education. From 2010’s PhP 161 billion, budget allocation has been increased to PhP 232 billion this year.

President Aquino also expressed his confidence that the construction of 66,800 recorded shortage of classrooms will be completed before December 31 this year. He added that backlog on textbooks and chairs in public schools have already been addressed since last year.

“Walang duda: ang K to 12 Act ay bunga ng ating patuloy na pagsisikap na itulak ang makabuluhan at positibong reporma hindi lamang sa sistemang pang-edukasyon sa ating bansa. Kundi maging sa lahat ng sector ng ating lipunan,” he said.

Among the salient features outlined under the K to 12 Act are: the mandatory inclusion of kindergarten and additional two years of high school which will form the Senior High School; the use of mother language or local dialect as modes of teaching in the basic education which will gradually transition to Filipino and English languages; enhanced and continuous training for teachers; and, the creation of a Curriculum Consultative Committee which will formulate and oversee the basic education curriculum, with participation from different government agencies to help equip high school students with the latest demands in the employment industry.

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