By: Flores, Kryz Dhaniel P.
Readiness is not a luxury, it’s a right.
The debate around the K-12 curriculum has resurfaced once again. Some calling it burdensome, others questioning its real benefits. But as we look at the evolving demands of college education and professional life, one truth stands out: yes, we still need K-12. And more than ever, we need it because it helps students transition to college with confidence, competence, and clarity.
Before K-12, the Philippines had one of the shortest basic education cycles in the world. Students graduated after just 10 years, often entering college at 15 or 16 years old—barely out of adolescence, often unprepared for the rigors of higher education. With the introduction of Senior High School (SHS), students are given two additional years to grow academically, emotionally, and practically.
Critics argue that these two extra years are unnecessary and costly. But what’s often overlooked is how much they add to a student’s readiness. Grade 11 and 12 are not just about repeating content; they are about deepening understanding. They are where students begin to choose tracks that align with their interests—Academic, Tech-Voc, or Arts and where they learn not just what to study, but how to study. These are skills essential to surviving college life.
Courses like Oral Communication, Practical Research, General Math, and Work Immersion aren’t filler subjects, they’re foundations. A student who has already experienced writing a research paper in SHS, for example, will not be shocked by thesis writing in college. A learner who has presented in front of classmates or trained in the workplace during immersion will enter a university setting with less anxiety and more assurance.
Let’s not forget the maturity gap. Two years makes a big difference. College requires a level of independence that many students didn’t have under the old system. K-12 gives time for students to develop critical thinking, social awareness, and personal discipline. These may not be graded directly but they are tested every day in college life.
Are there challenges in implementation? Absolutely. Not all schools have equal resources, and some teachers still lack adequate support. But that’s not a reason to throw away the whole system. It’s a reason to strengthen it further to fund it properly, to improve access, and to train educators better. We don’t improve education by going backward, we move forward by fixing what’s broken.
At its core, K-12 is not just about lengthening school. It’s about better preparation for life after school, whether that’s college, employment, or entrepreneurship. We owe it to every Filipino learner to give them the best shot at success. And if that means investing in two more years that shape them into stronger, smarter, and more self-aware college students, then the answer is clear.
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