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Abstract: The study is a review of the literature on the basic education (k-12) curriculum
specifically the senior high school (SHS) of the Philippines, Japan, and the US. Results of the
review show that the SHS curriculum is intended to prepare students to enter into
college/university or to work in the industry or be an entrepreneur. The SHS program is
the last level in all basic education programs of the countries reviewed. The Philippines
has a clearer model with at least four tracks (academics, tech-voc, sports, arts & design)
and at least ten strands. Japan has two tracks in academics and tech-voc. The US basic
education system varies from state to state, similar to its SHS curriculum. There is no
definite track as this is left to individual state and their school districts to decide. There
are purely academic, tech-voc and other types of schools. The majority of those who
choose academic track are students who plans to proceed to college. There are still a
stigma in selecting tech-voc and other courses as this are seen by many as the course for
poor performing/problematic students. The enrolment in tech-voc schools in the US is
declining despite the surge of demand for skilled workers. In the three countries, the
availability of qualified teachers is still an issue. This situation is very real in the
Philippines as it started the SHS program in June 2016. Other problems includes the need
to construct a huge number of classrooms and facilities. All of these are currently being
addressed too by the government.
can choose a program leading to college or of the Philippines, Japan, and the USA.
university entrance or a career in business or Specifically, it tries to;
industry (DepEd, ND). The Philippines 1. Present key information on each
together with Myanmar, Malaysia and country’s basic education program,
Singapore have two years of Senior High 2. Present their (senior) high school
while the rest of Southeast Asia has three curriculum
years (SEAMEO & INNOTECH, 2012). 3. Compare and contrast each country
senior high school curriculum.
Senior High School curriculum in
various parts of the world is offered to 3. Methodology
prepare students for work or a university
life. The World Education News and The paper is all based on secondary
Reviews (2016) presented various basic information using the literature review
education curriculums in the world. Taiwan, protocol. The literature review stated
for example, has three years of either senior planning a review protocol, then searching
vocational schools or senior high schools for potentially relevant literature and
made mandatory in 2014. Indonesia also has snowballing (backward and forward) to
three years of Upper Secondary Education exhaust all available literature, selecting the
(Senior High) with the first curriculum being relevant articles, analyzing and synthesizing
more generalist and the last two is either for then writing this manuscript (Myllarniemi,
general academic or vocational stream 2015).
(WENR, 2014). High schools in South
Korea are divided into general/academic, The paper uses official publication of
vocational, and special purpose curriculum each government, specifically the agencies
which students are graduating from Middle that have authority over the delivery of the
School can opt to enroll (WENR-2, 2013). basic education, such as their respective
Despite not being compulsory or free, the Department of Education, its affiliates or
progression rate is as high as 99% (ibid). their partner institutions. International
organizations conducting researches on
The Philippines is relatively new in education were also considered as sources of
the implementation of the Senior High data. On the other hand, the paper has also
program with Grade 11 enrolled during used literature published in other agencies
School Year 2016-2017. Its curriculum is including news articles to enrich discussions
patterned to the US secondary schools. about the issues regarding the subject under
Based on the comparative data for top assessment.
performing countries, Japan outperformed
US in Mathematics, Science and Reading in 4. Results and Discussion
the Programme for International Student
Assessment or PISA (NCEE, 2012). What is This paper reviewed the literature
their curriculum? How different is it to its about the Senior High School curriculum of
model nation or an adjacent leader, Japan? the Philippines, Japan, and the US. It also
looked into issues, challenges, and successes
2. Objectives relating to the implementation of the
program. The preceding are the assessment
The paper aims to provide insights made on the topic.
on the of the Senior High School curriculum
4.1 The K-12 Program huge proportion of its student enroll in it for
better chances of entering into the best
The K-12 program (sometimes called schools throughout college/university.
P-12) is a basic education program widely Compulsory schooling in Japan is nine (9)
practiced all thought the world is serving years, grades 1 to 6 (elementary) and grades
children for the 13 years from kindergarten 7 to 9 (lower secondary school). The student
to year 12 (Department of Education and can proceed to Upper High School (UHS)
Training, 2010, Philippine Senate, 2011). and take up another three years of schooling.
DepEd of the Philippines believes that the It is usually to prepare student entry to
12-year program to be the best period for higher education. The UHS curriculum,
learning under basic education. It is also the however, is not free. A Huge proportion of
recognized standard for students and their students in the UHS goes into general
professionals globally; this is the main academic courses (74%) and only 24% go
reason why the Philippines were the last into vocational (specialized) courses, the
country adopting more than 10-year pre- remaining 3% were in integrated courses
university in Asia (ibid). Shown in Table 1 (academic and vocational) (WENR, 2015).
is the summary of the K-12 program of the In 2013, there was a total of 19,127,474
three countries of study. basic education students, 17.35% are in the
Upper High School (MEXT, ND).
The Philippines has a total of 13
years from Kindergarten to Grade 12, all of The structure of government in the
which are mandatory and free especially in US allows their education to adopt various
the public schools. It even subsidizes forms and programs for their basic
students who will take their grade 10 to 12 education. Some states combine the senior
classes in the private schools or and junior high school while others have no
universities/colleges through the voucher distinction between the two. The mandatory
program (DepEd, ND). The K to 12 schooling in the US also varies from state to
education program in the Philippines state (NCES, 2008). There are around 55.4
addresses the defects of the country basic M enrolled in elementary and secondary
education curriculum. As claimed by the schools in the US in SY 2013-14 (NCES,
proponent of the K12 program, the 2016).
curriculum is seamless, ensuring the smooth
transition between grade levels and Best educational systems are often
continuum of competencies. It is also identified based on the performance of
relevant and responsive, enriched and students in the international standardized
learner-centered curriculum (SEAMEO examinations. In the world, East Asian
INNOTECH, 2012). There was a total of countries like Singapore, Hongkong SAR,
more than a little more than 1M students in Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan ranks top
grade 11, (first year in SHS). Around 60.6% in the 2015 International Mathematics
were enrolled in the academic track while Achievement for Grade 4 and Grade 8
only 39% were in tech-voc curriculum and (TIMSS & PIRLS 1, 2015). In the
less than 0.5% chosen the sports, arts and International Science Achievement,
design curriculum (DepEd). Singapore, Korea, Japan, Russian Federation
and Honkong SAR were in the top five for
In Japan, the kindergarten Grade 4, while for Grade 8, Singapore,
curriculum is not mandatory however the Japan, Chinese Taipei, Korea, and Slovenia
Kindergarten
Kindergarten is mandatory and Not compulsory and not free. Primary education in the US is
compulsory for five-year-old- Majority of parents send their compulsory and free starting between
learners with public schools children to one year kindergarten five (Kindergarten) and ending
offering it for free. The to gain access to highly selective somewhere between ages 16 and 18
Kindergarten is the first stage of schools later. Some prefer to have depending on the state (NCES - 1,
the basic education and is pre-kindergarten for same 2015). It starts at the age of five, in
delivered using mother tongue reasons. Kindergarten and ends either in 5th or
(SEAMEO INNOTECH, 2012). 6th. Some schools in the US may defer
in grades they contain. (see figure 1).
Elementary The curriculum in public elementary
Elementary level is completed Primary school is six years with education is determined by individual
within six (6) years. The first 3 about 98.4% prefer to enroll at school districts or county school
grade is conducted using mother public school where education is system.
tongue and succeeding levels are free. (WENR, 2005).
bilingual using English and
Filipino as medium of
instruction. (SEAMEO
INNOTECH, 2012)
Junior High School (JHS)
Grades 7 to 10 (four years) are Students who have completed Middle school (or junior high school)
the first part of the secondary primary cycle are automatically has variable range between districts
education. Grades 7 and 8 accepted into lower secondary spanning grades 7, 8 and sometimes 5,
students are exposed to core school (LSS) which is three year 6 and 9 as shown in figure 1.
learning areas and TLE (3) years and is compulsory.
exploratory courses are Result of LSS can determine
introduced. On the other hand, whether or not a student gains
Grades 9 and 10 will be based on access to a good upper secondary
the preferred learning areas of school and eventually to a good
the student. (DepEd) university and career. (WENR,
2005)
Senior High School (SHS)
The career pathway The student needs to earn 80 High school comprises grades 9 or 10
specialization started in JHS credit units to graduate upper to 12 and generally takes a broad
continues in the SHS. Grades 11 secondary education (USE) which variety of classes without specializing
and 12 is the second part of the can be attained in 3 years. Taking in any particular subject, with the
secondary education in the USE is not free and the exception of vocational schools. Some
Philippines. In addition to the curriculum is divided into two states and cities offer special high
core competencies, students basic streams: academic and schools with entrance examinations to
takes electives under three vocational/technical. Most of admit the best students. Aside from
groups, academic, tech-voc and those who like to proceed to the academic and technical vocational
entrepreneurship. It is envisioned college takes the academic stream Other high schools cater to the arts,
that the end-of-Grade 12 and is generally more competitive. some are set-up for students who do
examination is the exit The competitive nature of not succeed with normal academic
examination for the secondary entrance to USE is because standards, while others were for
level and at the same time an schools are ranked according to special groups’ such as LGBT
entrance examination for college. the number of their students who students (Celefati, 2008).
(SEAMEO INNOTECH, 2012) are accepted to prestigious
universities. (WENR, 2005)
Figure 1: The K12 Program in the US (Chart Adapted from U.S. Department of Education, National
Center for Education Statistics)
ranked the top achievers in the said exam have rigorous entrance exams to enter.
(TIMSS & PIRLS 2, 2015). An article in the Japanese kids has more than one teacher,
K12 System says that the top five K-12 and kids are also encouraged to work
education systems are from Finland, China, through their studies without text books,
India, Japan and Singapore (Fioriello, ND). calculators and the like giving them different
Finland has consistently ranked as number ways to solve problems (ibid)
one in international examination having high
scores in math, science, and reading. Finnish In the PISA report for 2015,
schools allow students to learn at a more Singapore also tops the latest OECD PISA
relaxed pace where students only spent half global education survey. The same report
an hour of homework every night and also has shown that Japan has outperformed
students don't attend school full time the US in Science, Mathematics, and
(Fioriello, ND). Japan, on the other hand, Reading. The US is below average in Math
prepares their students towards university and slightly higher than average in Science
preparation because even technical schools and Reading while Japan leads and has
above performance in the three areas (PISA, paying jobs available today that, quite
2015). candidly, a four-year Bachelor of Arts
degree does not prepare them for.” In the
4.2 The Senior High School Curriculum Philippines, the K-12 program was
implemented partly because of this reality.
The senior SHS curriculum is an There is a huge unemployment rate due to
entry point to college/university life or jobs-mismatch. The K12 program is even
business and industry, the later seen as the designed to let the student feel what tech-
lesser of the two regarding prestige voc. is an exploratory track in the junior
(Bidwell, 2014, Peano et.al., 2008). In the high school level through the Technology
Philippines for example, more students and Livelihood Education (TLE) courses.
would prefer going into the academic track
than any other track. In a study conducted, 4.2.1 Academic Track
about half chooses academic tracks while
tech-voc courses are selected only by about The most preferred track in all of the
3% of their prospective students (Lagajino three countries is the academic track. Unlike
et.al, 2015). Based on enrolment data from US and Japan academic courses, the
DepEd, 60.6% of Philippine senior high Philippines are more organized. It has at
school enrolees went to academic track least four academic strands as shown in
while around 39% went to the tech-voc Table 2. These strands lead to specific
track. In Japan, about 73% choose academic courses in college except for the General
track compared to 24% going to tech-voc. Academic Strand (GAS) which is for the
track. undecided student. The GAS program is a
bit similar to that of the US and Japan
In the early 1990s, the secondary curricula.
education in the US is similar to what the
Philippine SHS now is. It has six academic Some schools in the US offer also
courses, three vocational courses and four designed tracks such as STEM curriculum.
other courses (NCES, ND). Looking closely, The program is considered new as many are
the Philippine model is also similar to not yet well informed about it (Haynie,
Singapore, the leader in all international 2014). Kevin Bals, the principal of High
examinations in Math, Science and Reading. Technology High School says that "if you
(WENT, 2009). It has devoted school for don't love math and science, it's probably
sports, arts and general academics handled not the place for you". He has seen cases
by the National University of Singapore – where students enrolled because of parents'
High School (ibid) wishes who did not last long. The
curriculum is for those who have the passion
The desire for many to go into for it not necessarily who are gifted (ibid).
college/university has resulted in huge
unemployment and underemployment. 4.2.2 Technical Vocational Track
According to Mark Edwards, an executive
director of Opportunity Nation, "We've done The technical-vocational track is
a disservice in this country (USA) by more define in the Philippines and Japan K-
suggesting that there's only one path to 12 curricula. As shown in Table 2, there are
success, which is to get a bachelor's degree." about seven identified strands with industry
He further adds that "there are many good- and fishery courses being the most preferred
fields (WENR, 2005). The student needs to professional athlete or sports related job or
earn 30 credit points in the specialization, proceed to study Physical Education or
and the remaining 50 credit points come Human Kinetics in college/university. The
from the general education subjects. arts and design track are for students who
has artistic talents and planning to take up
Courses in the Philippine model are fine arts, theater or cinema, and the likes.
divided into four strands where the student The US and Japan senior high school has no
can choose from. The said programs, track focusing on this two area but
however, may not necessarily be available in integrates courses in the arts and sports in
the municipality or barangay (village) they their curriculum.
are in and therefore needs to take it in other
towns or village. The absence of the much 4.3 Senior High Teachers
needed tech-voc facilities and availability of
qualified teachers limit the accessibility of Shown in Table 3 are the necessary
these programs to many. The number of qualifications of teachers in the basic
those choosing the academic track may also education especially the SHS level.
be attributed to the limited offering in the
senior high schools throughout the country. The SHS program is relatively new
in the Philippines, with the first year
Like in many countries, the share of enrollees (grade 11) started June 2016. It
students in the US going to tech-voc schools leads to surge of demand for qualified
are declining even in a time where demand teachers in specialized areas. DepEd law
is increasing. (Pannoni, 2014). However, requires that teachers in the basic education
there are some school districts where this is which include SHS must be licensed,
the other way around. It is attributed to the teachers. Since specialized courses such as
quality of the tech-voc training provided. ICT, S&T and engineering are rare majors in
Kim Curry, the Dean of Admissions at education degrees, the department was
Montachusett Regional Technical School in unable to fill it up as required. This forced
Fitchburg, Massachusetts says that tech-voc DepEd to allow non-licensed teachers to
(some) schools are completely different, handle specialized classes and was given
kids are fighting tooth and nail to be five years to get the license. In the tech-voc
accommodated. He further added that track, only NC II holders were allowed to
students are attracted in the curriculum teach, some of them are not degree holders.
because they can leave school with a career. However, they too are required to acquire a
In their school he says, 700 students applied, license to teach within five years as well.
but there were only 350 slots available. (DepEd, 2016)
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