Almost a Month Has Passed, Yet No Response from DepEd
This blog has focused on the lack of research backing DepEd's K+12 curriculum. This blog has in fact enumerated a long list of reasons why DepEd's move to overhaul basic education in the Philippines is not founded on good evidence. This blog has also lamented the fact that Philippine lawmakers have not examined thoughtfully the new curriculum and have needlessly rushed to pass the Enhance Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act 10533). Thus, in addition to lack of sound research, DepEd's K+12 is now facing legal challenges.
Perhaps, DepEd has already asked for an extension from the highest court in the Philippines. A month has passed since the Supreme Court's order to various government agencies to respond to a challenge that DepEd's K+12 undermines the Constitution's protection of labor rights.
Perhaps, the crowd is not paying attention to this issue because of the coming boxing fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. The article has not been "tweeted" nor shared. Perhaps, after May 2, this may start getting some attention.
Legal challenges against DepEd's K+12 are not confined to labor issues. It is in fact surprising that in a country where it is obvious that any changes in term limits of elected officials, any revisions regarding "restrictive" economic provisions, or a shift to a parliamentary system would require amending the Constitution, to see an education bill smoothly passed and signed into law when the bill is in fact amending the Constitution.
Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution states it clearly, "...elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age." On the other hand, the Enhanced Basic Education Act states something obviously different, that there are now three compulsory stages of education. Kindergarten is the first stage, elementary is the second stage, and high school, composed of four junior years and two senior years, is the third compulsory stage.
The above are not just semantics. The word "compulsory" carries a lot. The State, more than anyone else, is enjoined by the Constitution. Compulsory requires that what is required is accessible or possible. Anyone claiming that there are resources adequate for the years added to basic education by Republic Act 10533 is without doubt, in a state of denial or hallucination. If it is not possible, it can not be made compulsory. These are far worse legal challenges. Perhaps, the Supreme Court would give DepEd more than ten days to respond when these challenges do arise...
Perhaps, DepEd has already asked for an extension from the highest court in the Philippines. A month has passed since the Supreme Court's order to various government agencies to respond to a challenge that DepEd's K+12 undermines the Constitution's protection of labor rights.
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| Above copied from the Philippine Star |
Legal challenges against DepEd's K+12 are not confined to labor issues. It is in fact surprising that in a country where it is obvious that any changes in term limits of elected officials, any revisions regarding "restrictive" economic provisions, or a shift to a parliamentary system would require amending the Constitution, to see an education bill smoothly passed and signed into law when the bill is in fact amending the Constitution.
Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution states it clearly, "...elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age." On the other hand, the Enhanced Basic Education Act states something obviously different, that there are now three compulsory stages of education. Kindergarten is the first stage, elementary is the second stage, and high school, composed of four junior years and two senior years, is the third compulsory stage.
The above are not just semantics. The word "compulsory" carries a lot. The State, more than anyone else, is enjoined by the Constitution. Compulsory requires that what is required is accessible or possible. Anyone claiming that there are resources adequate for the years added to basic education by Republic Act 10533 is without doubt, in a state of denial or hallucination. If it is not possible, it can not be made compulsory. These are far worse legal challenges. Perhaps, the Supreme Court would give DepEd more than ten days to respond when these challenges do arise...
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