We need to add two years to our basic education.

Those who can afford pay up to fourteen years of schooling before university. Thus, their children are getting intothe best universities and the best jobs after graduation. I want at least 12 years for\ our public school children to give them an even chance at succeeding. President Benigno S. Aquino III

The K+12 Basic Education Program seeks to provide for a quality 12-year basic education that each Filipino is entitled to. The program K+12 means Kindergarten and the 12 years of elementary and secondary education. The model that is currently being proposed by Department of Education is the K-6-4-2 Model. This model involves Kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10) and two years of senior high school (Grades 11 to 12).

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

As early as 1925, studies have observed the inadequacy of the basic education curriculum. As one of the most well studied reforms, recommendations of either adding or restoring 7th grade or adding an extra year to basic education have been put forward.

POWER OF THE STATE TO REGULATE ALL SCHOOLS Article II Section 12 of 1987 Constitution. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government.

Article XIV, Section 1 of 1987 Constitution.

The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Article XIV, Section 2 (1) of the 1987 Constitution states that: Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society. In line with this, Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 was enacted. This is an act providing for the establishment and maintenance of an integrated system of education.

A bill is now in Congress which will repeal BP 232. House Bill 4219 seeks to provide 12-year basic education program that each Filipino is entitled to. An Act Enhancing the Curriculum and increasing the number of years for Basic Education, Appropriating Funds therefore, and for other Purposes. This act shall be known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2011.

Article XIV, Section 2 (2) of the Constitution states that: Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children, elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age.

Article XIV, Section 2 (3) of the Constitution states that: Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.

The State has the right to a sufficiently educated citizenry but has no right to interfere in what strictly belongs to the family. It has, however, the right and the duty to compel parents to fulfill their duty in educating their children. It is valid only when the parents themselves fail in their duty.

According to the DepEd, an estimated PhP150 billion will be needed to procure all resources and close the gaps in basic education. This amount would cover the building of 152,569 new classrooms, hiring of 103,599 more teachers, procurement of 95.6 million more books and 13.2 million seats (DepEd Briefer, 2010).

Appropriation for the K-12 program is heavily blockaded because of the Automatic Appropriations which drains the countrys budget for debt servicing compromising the delivery of basic services such as health and education. Automatic Appropriations was embodied in Section 31 of Presidential Decree No. 1177 REVISING THE BUDGET PROCESS IN ORDER TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE BUDGETARY INNOVATIONS OF THE NEW SOCIETY otherwise known as the Budget reform decree of 1977 issued during the martial law which provides for automatic appropriation for public debt service

One of the top reasons for dropping out of school is the high cost of education. The 2009 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) revealed that education is not a priority among poor households as bulk of their spending goes to food (60%).

Inarguably, the system of basic education in the country is in dire need of resuscitation. The main question though is whether increasing the number of years of schooling as proposed by the K to 12 program could lead to improvements in quality or just exacerbate the present situation.