“Go, go, go for K- implementation here in the province, no backing out, because we are ready,” said Schools Division Superintendent Salustiano Jimenez in response to the issue on the possible suspension of the K-12 program by the Supreme Court.
For Negros Oriental Division, out of 127 high schools, 124 will be offering senior high school by 2016.
Of the 124, 89 high schools have budget allocations already for the construction of senior high school classrooms.
“This May, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have started its bidding, so probably by June, the construction for classrooms will begin the construction and completed by July or August,” said Jimenez.
Targeted schools are expected to start its implementation of the new curriculum of Grade 11 by 2016, and will be hiring teachers that are qualified to handle Grade 11.
Jimenez said a series of trainings on the new curriculum is ongoing for teachers, in which this summer is the third set of the training, in partnership with Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
However, Jimenez also stressed the lack of teachers and classrooms every year as the number of new enrollees is increasing.
“But we’re still able to do it and deliver the services well,” he said.
Apart from trainings of the teachers, the schools division also conducted summits wherein different stakeholders have committed to contribute and support the education program.
The DepEd official urged the public to work together and be united to make the implementation of K-12 program successful. (jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Sheena Mae Diongco, intern)