K+12 implementation violates children’s right to quality education

K+12 implementation violates children’s right to quality education


News Release
4 June 2012

K+12 implementation violates children’s right to quality education

“The government is giving false hopes with its persistence in implementing the K+12 program,” Emmi De Jesus, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative, said on today’s opening of public school classes and the start of K+12 program.

The Gabriela solon noted that about 1.7 million kindergarten students are expected to troop to schools today. Waiting for them at the doorsteps are some 20,000 contractual teachers and classrooms not fit for the needs of five-year old children. The implementation of K+12 program will worsen the problems of public schools that have shortages of 132,483 teachers; 97,685 classrooms; and 153,709 water and sanitation facilities.

“DepEd’s claim that the universal kinder program will prepare the children socially, physically, mentally and emotionally is clearly debunked by this situation which exposes our government’s disregard for quality education. Last year’s situation has not improved and yet the government continues to banner the K+12 program,” De Jesus added.

“Gabriela Women’s Party continues to assert that the implementation of a universal kinder program that respects children’s rights and well-being requires an adequate number of qualified and well-compensated teachers, enough and appropriate classroom size, equipment and facilities, a curriculum fit for the needs of five year old children, and clean comfort rooms,” De Jesus explained.

“I call on President Aquino and Secretary Armin Luistro to respect our young children. Give our future generation the quality kindergarten education they are entitled to, and increase the budget allocation for education to truly serve our young Filipinos,” ended De Jesus.

Rep. Emmi de Jesus issued this statement as she spent her morning with the teachers, parents and school children of Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City.

For Reference:
REP. EMMI DE JESUS 0917-3221203
Wena Festin, 0915-6349308