Philippines free essay sample

The Department of Education recently unveils the enhanced K+12: Basic Education Program. The program involves the reinforcement of kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years in Junior High School (Grades 7-10) and two years of Senior High School (Grades 11-12). Curriculum also allows specialization in science and technology, music and arts, agriculture and fisheries, sports, business and entrepreneurship. Thus, the Department of Education plans to implement the new education cycle in phases, beginning in 2012. In addition, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro ensure that the Department will work closely with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to align the new basic education program with the existing programs of both concerned institutions (Caballero, ANC, 2010). The Department of Education believes that enhancing the quality of Education will allow the system to build flexibility in the curriculum to expand coverage and content. Along this line, students are presumed to have developed sufficient higher order thinking skills, analytic tools, and knowledge to enter either college or the world of work. We will write a custom essay sample on Philippines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Basically, the country should also adopt this program to comply with the global standard for basic education (Manila Bulletin, October 8, 2010). Moreover, the K+12 program is highly promoted considering the fact that generally our graduates are not mature enough to handle higher education disciplines. Extracted from this problem the main aim of the program, which is to provide the basic learning competencies and emotional maturity that one needs and must possess in the workforce (GMANews. TV, October 6, 2010). Therefore, the Department of Education urged its critics to view the Enhanced K+12: Basic Education Program not as a burden, but as an investment. A. STRONG REASONS SUPPORTING THE ENHACED K+12: BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM While most parents, teachers and students continue to oppose the plan of the Department of Education to implement the Enhanced K+12 Program, educators and other stakeholders expressed their support to turn the 10-year Basic Education Cycle to 12 years. The individuals and groups supporting the K+12 Program include the Philippine Business for Education (PBED), a group of top businessmen, Senate Juan PoncemEnrile, Coalition for Better Education (CBE), and Peter P. Laurel who is the President for Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities. They welcomed governments strong resolve to finally put in place a decades-old proposal for a K+12 Basic Education Cycle since they equally pushed for Education Reforms. Their famous line We are finally moving forward is associated with their confident belief that the proposed program will provide more benefits to the education system. They reiterated that the additional years in basic education cannot be separated from the issue of poor quality of the Education System. Over and above the poor quality and lack of teachers, textbooks and workbooks, and facilities, continues to make learning a growing challenge for more and more of the students. The K+12 Program gives to the masses the extra years of schooling that for many years has only been available in private elite educational institutions. Every additional year of schooling improves income potential of students as they enter the world of work (Danao, et al. , October 7, 2010). The Group was able to conduct a survey regarding the Enhanced K+12: Basic Education Program proposed by the Department of Education. Questionnaires were distributed to 45 respondents consist of teachers, students, and parents. The result shows that the reasons expressing support to the K+12: Basic Education Program are: It will mature the minds and emotions of students before attending the world of work. It will strengthen the students academic background. It will serve as a preparatory stage for students to realize and determine what profession they will take as they enter the tertiary level. Ideal to make Filipino students to become globally competitive in the world of employment. Philippine Education will attain same level of educational set-up with the other countries. This will definitely lead the tertiary level of education to concentrate more on the enhancement and development of skills and abilities of students to their respective specializations. To enrich and totally acquire all the learning competencies necessary to build the progress of students. To gain more knowledge. It will provide more areas in training the various skills of students considering that the focus should be on hands-on activities or experiential learning. This will open the gate of opportunity for Filipino students to pursue higher education in other countries. Learning takes time B. STRONG REASONS OPPOSING THE ENHANCED K+12: BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM The K+12: Basic Education Program has received much flak from various groups for its alleged wrong priorities saying that the additional 2 years will not address the main problem about the deteriorating quality of education in the country. Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Young, Rep. Antonio Tinio of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers Party List, Kabataan Party List, and League of Filipino Students National Chairman Terry Ridon are among the first to criticize the proposal. They voice out their concerns that the Enhanced K+12 Program would burden parents even more. They doubted whether the government could provide enough funds for the additional two years considering that the national budget is unable to fund the number of years in the basic education system at present. The program is impractical, given that the DepEd has not been able to address the problems in the 10-year basic education cycle (Musico, PNA, October 7, 2010). The move to add two years to basic education will not answer the growing number of out of school youth, nor will it lift the countrys employment rate. Instead, they suggest that government must focus on measures aimed at increasing state spending on education, stopping unjust tuition and other fee increases in all levels, promoting nationalist curriculum, upholding democratic rights of students, improving teachers welfare and improving science, research and technology development. The government should primarily address the shortage on classrooms, teachers and textbooks (Ronda, Philippine Star, October 8, 2010). Therefore, compiling all these dilemmas, they believe that implementation of the Enhanced K+12: Basic Education Program will only yield more problems. Base from the survey conducted by the group, the result presents reasons expressing disagreement to the K+12: Basic Education Program. Majority of the respondents believe that: It entails adjustments to all students, parents, and teachers. A high probability that students will tend to become lazy to acquire education. The Philippine government must address first the problem on poor school facilities and lack of educational institutions especially in rural areas. Several problems on lack of textbooks, low wages for teachers, etc. , are not yet addressed and solved by the government. The willingness of students to study at present is limited. Additional workload on the part of the teachers especially if the needed instructional materials are not totally and essentially provided by the educational institutions. Government is experiencing financial constraints at present. The focus should be on the proper training of teachers. Top-notcher or highly qualified teachers should be prioritized in the Teaching Profession. It will hinder the students of experiencing fun or time for leisure since their time will really be dedicated to schooling. The budget to be allotted to this program should be distributed to other important concerns of the masses such as medicine, food, and housing projects. Higher chance of losing interest for students to pursue their tertiary level. Considering the economic status of our country, theres the continuous increase in the price of goods and other services resulting to financial instability. It will be an additional financial burden especially on the part of parents. Filipinos are brilliant†¦ C. THE GROUPS FINAL STAND YES TO ENHANCED K+12: BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM! LET US INVEST OUR MONEY TO WHERE OUR EDUCATION IS. We have now entered an age where the 10-year education program is becoming outdated. As a nation that is hoping to stand as a noticeable competitor in the global market, we need to furnish our graduates with a quality of education that will bring respect and pride to our country. We need to recognize and embrace the changes that need to be made in the educational program of the Philippines. It is true that simply adding two more years in the education of students does not guaranty that the students will master skills that are at par or superior than the students from other countries; most of which it will be a financial burden to everybody BUT the benefits of these changes will be very evident on the quality of graduates that the Philippine schools would be introducing to the world job market. We believe that its time to make a difference. The group likely recommends that the Department of Education should primarily address the infrastructure and supra-infrastructure requirements needed for efficient and effective implementation of the program. Foremost, the Department of Education must design a curriculum that is based on internationally approved standards. II. THE DIFFERENT TEACHING AND LEARNING STYLES A growing challenge to the Teaching Profession If teachers were taught to respond to global students processing styles and environmental preferences, and if only could be taught to be collegial or authoritative with those youngsters who require one or other teaching style, fewer students would experience frustration and the inability to succeed in academic classes. -Henry S. Tenedero Teachers need to identify the perceptual strengths of every student. Young students tend to be tactual or kinesthetic, thus teachers should introduce new words, concepts or skills initially with manipulative. It is a must that students need to be introduced through their primary perceptual preference, reinforced through their secondary or tertiary preference, and then required to use the new information in a creative way by making something original. A. TEACHING STYLES Teaching styles are the awareness of teachers on their preferences in creating and delivering instruction. TYPES OF TEACHING STYLES 1. CONTRACT ACTIVITY PACKAGE (CAP) It is an instructional style which guides a student through an independent learning experience. A series of objectives are presented which the students’ masters by completing activities selected. CAPs include many pictures and drawings to attract students attention. 2. PROGRESSIVE TEACHING STYLE This is based on the belief that learning should be experiential and should be integrated with all the other subjects. A method that highly promotes the concept of creativity learning through playing, learning through experiments, etc. 3. CONTENT ORIENTED STYLE A style exemplified by teachers which is determined by logical operations of the classroom, with heavy attention to content and lessons. Teachers do the strategy of lecturing. A method also termed as Explanatory Style and Informative Type of Teaching. 4. AUTHORITARIAN TEACHING STYLE A restrictive style of instruction in which the teacher makes absolute demands and threats or force to ensure that students comply. The teacher expects children to obey the rules and regulations and has little management abilities beyond constant yelling at the students. 5. PERMISSIVE TEACHING STYLE A type of instruction in which the teacher makes few demands of students and provides little or no active guidance. The teacher is one who really just wants to be friends with her students. No firm discipline plan is in place. 6. SOCRATIC STYLE The image is wise, somewhat crusty teacher who purposely gets into arguments with students over the subject matter through artful questioning. 7. TOWN-MEETING STYLE Teachers who adapt this style use a great deal of discussion and play a moderator role that enables students to work out answers to problems by themselves. 8. INTERACTIVE or INDIRECT TEACHING STYLE Through dialogue and questioning, the teacher facilitates the development of students ideas. This form of teaching also allows the socialization skills of students to takes place. 9. INDUCTIVE TEACHING STYLE Teaching style that considers topics by moving from the specific to the general. 10. DEDUCTIVE TEACHING STYLE Teaching style that considers topics by discussing the concepts to understands the details. 11. AUTHRITATIVE TEACHING STYLE A controlling style of instruction in which the teacher makes many demands but also allows some autonomy and individual expression as long as students are staying within the guidelines the teacher has set. The authoritative teacher is one who has an orderly classroom, a strong discipline plan, and is caring and supportive. Students respect and know that they can go to her with problems of any kind no matter how big or small. B. LEARNING STYLES Learning styles are various approaches or ways of learning. They involve educating methods, particular to an individual that are presumed to allow that individual to learn best. It is commonly believed that most people favor some particular method of interacting with, taking in, and processing stimuli or information. TYPES OF LEARNING STYLES 1. ANALYTIC LEARNING STYLE Learning is sequentially. Building of details is necessary into an understanding and often preferring quite, bright light, a formal seating arrangement and to continue their task until it has been completed. 2. GLOBAL LEARNING STYLE Learning takes holistically. There is the need to understand the concept first and then are able to concentrate on details. Prefer learning together with what teachers describe as distracters (music, conversation, snacks, lots of mobility, etc. It is described as Interest-Oriented Learning. 3. SENSING THINKING STYLE Mastery Learner. Students are sensitive to acts, details, physical actions, and steps. They are inclined to skills such as remembering, describing, manipulating, and ordering. 4. INTUITIVE FEELING STYLE Self-Expressive Learner and Visual Learners. Learners are sensitive to hunches, images, possibilities, and inspiration. They are inclined to skills including practicing, speculating, imagining, generating ideas, and developing insights. This form of learning style is also described as Pragmatist type of learning. 5. INTUITIVE THINKING STYLE Understanding Learner and Converger Learner. Learners are sensitive to gaps/flaws, questions, patterns and ideas. They are inclined to skills such as analyzing, testing/proving, examining and connecting. This style is also referred as Dynamic Learning Style, Problem-Oriented and Theorist Type of Learning. 6. SENSING FEELING STYLE Interpersonal Learner and Accommodator Learner. Learners are sensitive to feelings, people, gut reactions and experiences. They are inclined to skills including supporting, personalizing, expressing emotions and learning from experiences. This type is described as Reflector Learning Style. 7. FIELD INDEPENDENT LEARNING STYLE Learners are intrinsically motivated, and prefer to work alone or independently. Teachers merely serve as guide. 8. ACTIVIST LEARNING STYLE The students thrive on novelty and will give anything a try. They like to immerse themselves in a wide range of experiences and like to work in groups so that ideas can be shared and tested. 9. POLYTECHNIC LEARNING STYLE The students learn when they are in a community service. C. WHAT TEACHING STYLE COULD BE APPLIED TO EACH LEARNING STYLES? Exposed to too much technology and other stimulants, the modern child is sure to bring out the creativity out of his teacher. Angelo Garcia Contract Activity Package = Intuitive Feeling Style = Field Independent Learning Style Progressive Teaching Style = Sensing Thinking Style Content Oriented Style = Intuitive Thinking Style Socratic Style = Intuitive Feeling Style Town Meeting Style = Field Independent Learning Style Interactive Style = Activist Learning Style = Sensing Feeling Style = Polytechnic Learning Style Inductive Style = Analytic Learning Style Deductive Style = Global Learning Style Authoritarian, Permissive and Authoritative Teaching Styles possibly favor or applicable to all the different learning styles of students. Authoritarian Permissive Authoritative LEGEND: Teaching Styles = Three types of Teaching Styles that possibly favor and applicable to all the different Learning Styles. . Learning Styles = CONCLUSION: Students receive and process information in different ways. As they say every learner is unique. Teachers should be aware that no two learners benefit in the same amount of learning from a given situation. The environment in which one learns best is as important as the preparedness of the teacher to teach. Thus, if the students learning styles are compatible with the teaching style of their teachers, they tend to retain more information, effectively apply it, and have a better attitude towards a particular subject. However, if teachers cannot justify changes in their own teaching styles, they should help their students understand how some learning styles can be adapted to their own teaching styles. In addition, intensive researches have proven that schools should deal with the different type of instruction to cater the needs and individual differences of students. They must be creative in executing their teaching strategies. It is also necessary for teachers to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the students to be able to identify the appropriate teaching method to be utilize considering the learners respective level and capacity. Foremost, teachers must not over exaggerate the use of instructional material, rather it should only serve its main purpose which is to facilitate learning and attract learners (Peterson and Reinert, 1992). Three essential personal qualities of teachers would suit any learning styles of students as shared by Taush, 1986. These are Empathetic Listening, Respect and Concern, and Genuine Transparency. A teacher possessing these three personal qualities will surely improved Intellectual Quotient, interest, higher order thinking skills, attitude, etc. , of students.