Estrada calls K-to-12 ‘failure’ as DepEd pushes reforms

Senator Jinggoy Estrada called the K-to-12 a “failure” during Senate deliberations on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2026 budget on Monday, as the agency confirmed plans to fully implement its revised curriculum by School Year 2027–2028.

Estrada said senior high school (SHS) graduates still struggle to secure employment, noting that companies continue to require applicants to hold college degrees.

“I think this is a failure, since lahat yung mga nakapagtapos na sa senior high school pag nag-aapply sila ng trabaho ang hinahanap nila ay college graduate pa rin,” he said.

He added that his office has been receiving calls to abolish SHS, citing the additional financial burden on families for transportation, food, fees, and school materials. 

He said the two extra years “only add to daily expenses” without improving job prospects.

The senator’s remarks came as DepEd outlined its timeline for rolling out the revised K-to-12 curriculum, which has been under pilot testing in about 900 schools nationwide.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, budget sponsor, said the full implementation of the revised curriculum is scheduled for School Year 2027–2028. 

“The new curriculum reduces SHS tracks from four to two, academic and technical-professional, and cuts core subjects from 15 to five, namely Effective Communications, Life Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and the Study of Philippine History and Society.

Gatchalian said DepEd will expand pilot testing next year and continue evaluating learning outcomes. 

“They also test the child to see if what they are supposed to learn has been absorbed,” he said.

He added that K-to-12 was introduced to keep the country aligned with global standards, noting that almost 99 percent of the country is under the K-to-12 program.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, through Gatchalian, described the ongoing reforms as part of efforts to address lapses in the SHS program.

Lawmakers are expected to convene the bicameral conference in early December.