DepEd’s revised K-12 curriculum may worsen functional illiteracy, warns group

May 1, 2025 , 06:09 PM

(May 1, 2025) – Kabataan Party-list on Thursday sounded the alarm over the Department of Education’s (DepEd) revised senior high school curriculum, including removing the rigid strand-based structure that has been in place since 2016.

Atty. Renee Co, the group’s vice president, warned that under the revisions, students are being forced to prioritize compliance over comprehension, something she insisted could worsen functional illiteracy.

“Pagod na pagod na nga ang estudyante, pangit at kulang pa ang classroom at pasilidad. ‘Di talaga sila matututo. Puwedeng lumala pa ito sa bagong curriculum na nagdidiin sa productivity at work immersion ng mga estudyante kasi aagawan pa sila ng oras na mag-aaral ng lessons,” said Co in a statement.

The Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) defines functional illiteracy as being able to read and write but struggling to use them in daily life.

Last month, the DepEd released a 24-page consultation packet on the revisions. Among the notable proposals was a major cut in the number of core subjects—from 15 per semester to just five per year—to make learning “more effective and responsive.”

The DepEd, however, clarified that the revised system will only be tried in selected schools.

But Co, the first nominee of Kabataan Party-list in the upcoming elections, argued that the changes could exacerbate the inability of students to apply basic skills in reading and writing in everyday situations.

“Sa dami ng deadlines, ang mindset ng K-12 students ay basta may mai-submit na lang. Bunga nito ay graduates na marunong magbasa at magsulat pero hirap umintindi, dumiskarte, at mag-isip para sa sarili. Matabang lupa din ito para sa academic dishonesty,” added Co.

During a hearing in the Senate on Wednesday, the PSA revealed that nearly 19 million students who graduated from junior and senior high school in 2024 could not comprehend a simple story.

“Sinasanay ang kabataan maging de pindot sa eskuwelahan para maging makina sa pagawaan. Mga negosyo lang makikinabang dito at dinastiya sa puwesto. Dapat seryosohin ang review ng curriculum at tanggalin na mismo ang K-12,” stressed Co.

(PM)

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