MANILA – Malacañang clarified that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is not opposing the K to 12 education program, contrary to interpretations of his earlier remarks criticizing the implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the President merely pointed out shortcomings in the rollout of the program due to inadequate agency preparation — not the policy itself.
“Gusto po nating liwanagin ito. Hindi po niya sinasabi na tutol siya sa K-12. Ang sinabi lang po niya ay hindi naging epektibo agad dahil hindi nai-prepare ang mga ahensiya para dito,” Castro said.
She added that under the leadership of newly appointed Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, reforms are being introduced to improve the system, and that the President remains committed to enhancing the program under the law.
“At ngayon po sa pamamagitan din po ni Secretary Angara, ini-improve po ito pero ayon po sa ating Pangulo, hangga’t nandiyan po ang batas para sa K-12 ito po ay susuportahan at palalawigin at pag-iibayuhin nang maayos para sa ating mga estudyante,” she said.
President Marcos had earlier ordered the rationalization of the SHS curriculum to ensure that graduates are job-ready — a concern echoed by Angara, who acknowledged existing lapses in implementation.
Angara is one of the principal authors of Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which expanded the basic education cycle to include kindergarten, six years of elementary, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school./PN
