Philippines: Private Schools Ready to Help 'K+12' Program

To support the implementation of the enhanced K+12 program of the Department of Education (DepEd), private schools expressed desire to strengthen partnership by 'lending' its teachers, classrooms, facilities and textbooks to public school students. According to Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) president Eleazardo Kasilag, the enhanced K+12 program announced by DepEd continues to draw criticism from various sectors.

In the spirit of public and private partnership, Kasilag said that the private schools may be tapped for the K+12 cycle since the priority is teachers, classrooms, facilities and textbooks. Kasilag added that the private schools have been losing in enrollment. "But if part of the budget shall be coordinated well, DepEd need not hire teachers nor build additional room as we can absorb the students to our joy and relief," he said.