IN RESPONSE to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) on the new General Education Curriculum (GEC) and the Kindergarten to Grade 12 program (K-12), the Ateneo is considering planning a transition period from Academic Years 2016 to 2018.

The CMO Number 20 Series of 2013, entitled “General Education Curriculum: Holistic Understandings, Intellectual and Civic Competencies,” provides the framework and rationale of the revised GEC as a paradigm shift in the context of the K-12 curriculum.

The new GEC proposes 24 units of required core courses, nine units of electives and three units of the mandated course on the life and works of José Rizal. It is proposed to take effect in Academic Year 2018 to 2019, when the first batch of Grade 12 students will graduate.

The K-12 program requires students to go through kindergarten, six years of elementary, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school.

In a forum held on December 6, 2013 at the Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall auditorium, Loyola Schools (LS) Vice President John Paul Vergara, PhD discussed some steps that the Ateneo may take in response to the K-12 system.

He outlined the content of Grades 11 and 12 in relation to Loyola Schools (LS) core courses, enrollment projections, directions for core curriculum review and a proposal to increase LS undergrad population in the long run. A­ separate senior high school unit will likely emerge to collaborate with the LS.

Vergara said that the integration of the K-12 system may have consequences as regards the LS curriculum and the curricula for Grades 11 and 12, which will be part of senior high school.

This includes the possible devolving of around 30 units from the current LS core curriculum to the Ateneo High School’s (AHS) curriculum. Basic or remedial classes will still be in effect for incoming college freshmen in coordination with the proposed senior high school unit.

A proposal to move some LS faculty members to the grade levels mentioned above is also being discussed.

However, in an interview with The GUIDON on January 17, Vergara clarified that the plans are still under review and are not final.

On content and enrollment

According to Vergara, some of the LS core subjects that will possibly be transferred to the AHS curriculum are English 11, Filipino 12, Mathematics 11, Mathematics 18, some Natural Science courses and basic remedial courses in English, Filipino and Math.

English Department Chair Danilo Reyes said, “We would like to identify which sectors are prepared [and] confident enough to teach courses right away.”

He added that the LS may have to deploy some LS faculty to train high school teachers to develop instructional materials for effective use.

Meanwhile, Vergara said that the expected freshman enrollment drop in 2016 and 2017 will likely be around 30 percent. However, he said that Ateneo freshmen applicants will not be “down to zero.”

This is because in the country’s top high schools where programs similar to K-12 are already being implemented, such as Miriam College and Xavier School, student applications per school reach around 700 per year.

Raising the standards

Some department chairpersons discussed how the transition of units to AHS will promote higher standards of education through the replacement of remedial subjects with new and substantial courses in college.

Filipino Department Chair Alvin Yapan, PhD believes that this will give the department a chance to replace remedial subjects, such as Filipino 11 and Filipino 12, with other subjects that promote critical thinking.

While discussions regarding the matter are still ongoing, Yapan said the proposal will allow the Filipino Department faculty to apply what they have learned throughout their academic careers.

“Magagawa na namin [ang paggamit ng mga natutunan namin], kasi aangat na ‘yung antas ng itinuturo, at ganoon din sa mga estudyante (We can now use what we have learned, because the standard of teaching will increase. Consequently, the quality of students will also increase),” Yapan added.

English Department Chair Reyes also recognized the need to propose new courses that will replace defunct ones like English 11. “LS administration has encouraged us to propose new courses,” he said.

“I think this is where much creativity and critical assessment will be demanded from us—in redesigning, updating a curriculum that reflects signature values, those that best exemplify the Ateneo way,” Reyes added.

On proposals and reviews

Vergara formed a subcommittee headed by Office of Admission and Aid Director Jumela Sarmiento, PhD to assess the possible effects of the transition to a K-12 curriculum.

The subcommittee consists of academic representatives from the LS, AHS and Ateneo Grade School sectors to develop, plan, review and revise the Ateneo’s GEC.

Meanwhile, Vergara said that the Ateneo is still studying the prospect of accepting Grade 11 applicants in 2016, which is primarily a concern of the high school.

In accordance with proposals for K-12, Vergara proposed to begin with compliance matters.

He urged to resolve the matter of Grade 11 to 12 coverage versus basic or remedial courses currently covered in the LS core curriculum. He also wants to formulate classes that correspond with the courses stipulated under the new GEC.

In addition, Vergara proposed to revisit and reformulate the principles that guide the LS core curriculum, which involve academic competence, value formation, student-centered learning and integration.

For school year 2014 to 2015, LS departments are also encouraged to develop and offer more interdisciplinary courses.

Vergara proposed to target the implementation of a new core curriculum in 2016.