OPINION: Was K-12 worth it?

I am a graduate of the K-12 curriculum, the pioneer of it to be exact. Studying high school for six years was an interesting experience for me. At the time, I am thinking that the extra two years is a waste of time, but I still kind of. However, looking back on the extra years of my high school I realized it was not a waste of time. It just didn’t get executed correctly. K-12 curriculum has pros and cons, it has a very good potential and it will be better if it’s thoroughly planned out and accepted by many.

OPINION: Was K-12 worth it?

What I think about K-12

One of the purposes of the K-12 Curriculum is to help students get a job right after graduating high school. It gives students the time to learn and master new skills that will help to prepare them for employment. It was not effective, companies still preferred college graduates over K-12 program graduates.

I think I understand this concern because after I graduated I also thought I’m not ready to work. For students who took Technical-Vocational-Livelihood, I think they have more chances to work after graduating. We, who took the academic strand, still lack the required skills for immediate employment.

Most of my batchmates in my former school became working students while studying college. Some of whom I know that graduated from the TechVoc track still studied 2-year college courses. That one purpose of the program failed because the employer is still the one who has the last word on who to hire.

On the other hand, this education program is not a total failure. The implementation of the K-12 curriculum is also to align our education to the global education standard. 4 Years of high school is not enough to keep up with the global competition. If I was given a choice I would still choose to study in this program.

It may have not helped me prepare for employment; however, it did a good job helping me adjust to college. Back when we were in senior high we had immersions and research. Still, the culture shock that I experienced when I entered college was huge and I was thinking what if I didn’t have that 2-year preparation? It was still so hard, not to exaggerate. I think I’m doing fine during high school however, when I entered college I confirmed I am indeed dumb.

Why I think it’s important

K-12 is Important is very important, especially now that our generation will also graduate as a product of online classes. A lot of students are so focused on social media, very self-proclaimed and entitled yet can’t Identify fake information. The additional two years of learning in high school is never a waste, not a waste of time, money, and resources. K-12 is a must, we must keep up with the world as it evolves, opportunity may have to come by however, it’s still an advantage for us.

Incompetence has no place in this day and age, some high school students can’t write a proper essay nor can speak properly in front. What would they do if they suddenly entered college and didn’t even know the basics of research? K-12 is certainly a challenge however, I see its importance and how it shaped our batch. The education sector of our country needs these changes.