PASAY CITY — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday said the Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to producing employable K to 12 curriculum graduates under her term.

As she presented the Basic Education Report 2023 at the Sofitel Hotel Philippine Plaza Manila here, Duterte said the ongoing review of the K-12 curriculum has revealed that “the curriculum content is congested, that some prerequisites of identified essential learning competencies are missing or misplaced, and that a significant number of learning competencies cater to high cognitive demands.”

“We will make the curriculum relevant to produce competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens. We will revise the K to 12 curriculum to make them more responsive to our aspiration as a nation, to develop lifelong learners who are imbued with 21st-century skills, discipline, and patriotism,” Duterte said.

“The K to 12 curriculum promised to produce graduates that are employable. The promise remains a promise,” she added.

On the employment for basic education graduates, Duterte said the department is reviewing the K to 10 and Grades 11 to 12 curriculum to ensure that graduates are immediately employable by sectors and industries, which was the sole purpose for the K to 12 program.

Duterte said that after seeing the current status of the curriculum, the DepEd will focus on strengthening literacy and numeracy programs, revitalizing Reading, Science and Technology, and Math programs by utilizing the gains of previous programs.

The programs, according to Duterte, will be benchmarked with local and international best practices, consulted with experts, and will be research or evidence-based.

“We will improve English proficiency while recognizing linguistic diversity. We will work towards the goal of English language proficiency within the context of a multilingual nation,” Duterte said.

“We will review the implementation of the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education Policy, guided by the basic principle that, among others, learners learn when taught in a language that they understand,” she added.

The DepEd also aims to intensify the values formation of learners in curriculum and teaching, particularly through the Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education, in adherence to Republic Act 11476 or the mandates for the creation of a separate subject for Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC).

In evaluating the skills of learners, Duterte said the DepEd will engage with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and various industry partners to address the issue of skills mismatched in the Senior High School Program.

Duterte appealed to the industry and employers to accept students and graduates in work immersions and to hire them when they graduate.

“Today, DepEd stands before you — heart in hand — humbly seeking your support. Improving access, equity, quality, resiliency, and well-being will not happen overnight, nor can it be done by DepEd alone. We need a national commitment and sustained effort from all sectors of the society,” Duterte said.

“Together, we will rally for an improved learning system in the country. Together, we will rally for every Filipino child. Ang lahat — para sa Diyos, sa bayan, at sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” she added.

OVP MEDIA