THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday held a summit at the University of Makati (UMak) to discuss issues and to evaluate concerns arising from the ongoing implementation of the K-to-12 Basic Education Program.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro, who discussed particularly the K-to-12 Program overview in the country’s educational system, said that the objective of the summit is to invite local leaders and prominent educators from the country’s private and public schools to discuss with them the design of the program.

“Definitely, this is our first Summit. We have invited local universities and colleges, as well as state universities and colleges, in this event because we want them also to be part of the launching and planning of the program’s transition. Although the nationwide implementation of Senior High School [SHS] is in 2016, this year, however, is the transition year of K to 12. They still have an ample time to prepare for this before the full implementation,” Luistro told reporters.

The DepEd chief also said that one of the discussions in the summit is to talk on how the country’s educational system will transcend by applying the most feasible approaches and methods of teaching.

“What we are also discussing here is to find an answer on how can we easily get into the actual transition. This can be problematic if we will not plan and provide the necessary preparation for this program. That’s why they still have three or four years to have the best preparation before the 2016,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Luistro said that he is happy that the House of Representatives has approved the K-12 Bill or the House Bill 6643 on a second reading.

“We thanked the Congress because the first bill of the K-12 reform was already passed on its second reading. Senator Angara also delivered his speech at the Senate. We are hoping that can we have an interpellation for that bill, as the senate resumes on November. We hope and pray to have our K to 12 before Christmas,” he said.

Asked on why UMak has been chosen to host the summit, Luistro said that they decided to pick UMak because the city-run university has the largest number of enrollees of the SHS Program.

“UMak has more than 5, 000 students who enrolled in the program. They have a very good transition from high school grade 10 in the opening of grade 11. If you see the program of the University of Makati, the design is very innovative,” the DepEd chief said.

The K to 12 Program Summit runs from October 25 to October 27.

For his part, UMak president Tomas Lopez, in a statement, said that the two-day summit is aimed to serve as a forum for understanding the rationale, objectives, and mechanics behind the program as well as discussing the various issues and emerging challenges concerning the new curriculum.

Lopez, who is also the president of Association of Local Colleges and Universities, said that the objectives of the summit also include the discussion of important strategies and measures for policy recommendation to legislative and executive bodies like the DepEd, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Commission on Higher Education, geared for a smooth, full implementation of the K-12 program.

Aside from UMak, schools like The Manila Times College, Asia Pacific College, Don Bosco Technical School, and other schools were also chosen to pilot test the DepEd K to 12 offering Grades 11 and 12, which comprise senior high school.