The Philippines' K-12 Program: O-K or NOT O-K

The K-12 program was launched by the Depart of Education. It's purpose was to keep the Philippines in track with the education system of other countries especially our neighbors. According to some data, the Philippines is one of the countries where people spend the least time on school. For that reason the K-12 was initiated to improve our education system and to produce more job ready people all in the name of our country and its citizens.



But now, some senior high students are about to graduate, and a question lingers in the air; was the program good or not?
Was it a boon for us? Or was it a bane, a hindrance for the youth of our country?

In my own opinion and as a (soon to be) teacher myself, I think the initiative was just fine. One of the main issues that the program aims to resolve really was a gape in the education system of our country. In that our students should stay in  school a little longer. I had the same issue as I was thrown immediately into college when I didn't even knew what "courses" meant. The only thing that I knew back then that I had to go to college for my future and nothing more. I think that I wasn't yet matured enough to tackle college. But with this program, high school students must first go through another 2 years (plus mandatory kindergarten) before going on to college. This time period might ripen their minds in preparation for their future lives and in so on can fully know and realize what kind of path they should take.

Though I can perfectly understand why some people might perceive the K-12 program as a bane to themselves or their parents. Traditionally throughout the years in our country, just after 4 years of high school, parents already prepare for the cost of sending their kids to college. I understand that this sudden 2 year delay or blockade in their children's studying/schooling time might be a sudden hindrance. But remember, change always happen and needs to happen. The parents shouldn't really blame the Department of Education for this, rather I think they need to adapt themselves to this sudden change of pace.

In conclusion, the K-12 wasn't really that much of a bane to the Filipino people, but in my own opinion was a bane to the traditionalism of the people.

Anthem Net

My Final Demonstration Teaching

How to use Open Broadcast Software, Basics

Tunes for Inspiration

When I want to kickstart my day, do a task , or just go on my daily routine, one song always fires me up no matter what.

And that is:

Now, if you have read my about me post here on my blog, you will now that I love video games you would also know that I'm a bit negative and depressed. However, no matter what tier of darkness hangs around me, this song will me bright as a red star. This song is so cheery, so peppy, and so happy in general that I think it makes me want to dance. That's a big thing considering that I hate dancing or any type of activity that uses psycho motor aspects. It also helps that the song is pretty long and the game, Cat Girl Without Salad: Amuse~Bouche that this soundtrack comes from is radical or as the main character of the game, Kebako would say: "FUNKTASMICAL!!!!"

FUNKTASMICAL

And viewing the composer's official website, looks I'm not alone on loving this soundtrack.

Everyone who supports the artist loves Radical Galaxy. 

My Practice Teaching Experiences

When I first enrolled for Educ 14, A.K.A. practice teaching, I expected a lot of blood and tears to flow forth. But nearly two months into my practice teaching, I've actually started to get the hang of it and found it to be okay for me.

My first experience prior to actual teaching was an observation on Grade 3 students. Namely Grade 3 Quezon under Mrs. Payson. As of the writing of this post, I can safely say that this 1 week was easily my worst experience as a practice teacher. The students in grade 3 Quezon was very hard to scold and tell off. They were very stubborn and was always playing around for most of the time. And that was just when I was observing them. I can't even imagine being a teacher for them.

Next after that experience was the Holidays.

In January however, we were finally to be assigned at being practice teachers,
My first destination was onto the 1st Grade of Lopez Elementary School. There Mrs. Evangelista, the Master Teacher II of Lopez Elementary School, assigned me under Mrs._____ on section _____. My experience teaching at the 1st grade was mostly delightful. The pupils there were cheery, obedient and tidy. The subjects that I thought in grade 1 were ESP, Math, and Filipino. The Grade 1 _____ students were noticeably good at math.

We were supposed to go through all 6 elementary grades

Welcome to Colegio de Los Baños

CDLB's new logo (left) next to its old logo (right).

Welcome to Colegio de Los Baños!
It is a private school located along Lopez Avenue, Los Baños, Laguna. It provides the basic K-12 education from the Philippines as well as college education and TESDA courses. The school is easy to notice for its initials, C D L B is posted in metallic material near its gate and opening.

CDLB front gate via Google Earth

Next to talk about is the key facilities and locations within the campus.
The biggest structure inside the campus is the covered court. It was built around the same time when the K-12 program was being implemented. It hosts by default a basket ball court and a stage. But other activities such as other sports, speeches and seminars are also held under the court.

The covered court with an event being held

Next up is a small section of the campus called "Angel's Park". It is used by the people in the campus for recreation purposes such as chatting with each other, mingle with their devices and eat snacks. Especially now that the park has food stalls where anyone can buy their food. It used to have pigeons living around it, but they were removed and a roof was added to it. And as it is a park, it plants around it.

The center of the park

And as with any other educational institution, the campus also has several buildings that are used for classes and more.
The first is the former St. Philomena Hall which used to be the campus' hall. Ever since the K-12 program was implemented, the structure is now used by senior high school students, but the room can be easily reformed to suit seminars, speeches or any other events. The hall also used to be open air and had ceiling fans to cool the people inside it. But now, as they were turned into classrooms, the used to open air hall is now air conditioned.

The classrooms are divided for the most part.

Other than the former St. Philomena Hall classrooms, the other building and the tallest building in the entire campus besides from the water tower, is mostly considered to be the college building which is three stories tall plus a rooftop floor. As what I have previously said about the building, back when it the K-12 program was still not implemented, the building used to be the primary college building. Below it is the registrar's office and a separate room for the TESDA classes. The building right now is being used by senior high students as well. And I have no clear idea on what happens on the third floor and the rooftop is off limits as of now.

Next is the building that is soon to be a new faculty for the teachers. But as of now, the building is not being used.

The building after that is the building that houses the libraries of the campus, the principal's office, science laboratories, and of course class rooms as well. It is parallel to the covered basketball court.