House panel okays K + 10 + 2 bill

THE House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture approved in principle on Wednesday the proposed «Education Pathways Act.»

The measure substituted House Bill 7893 in a meeting but the stakeholders were given time to submit their position papers.

«Then after that, we will again come up with the last draft. We will go through our members first. And then 'pag okay na kami (when we are already okay) with the latest draft, we will call everyone again together for one last meeting before we submit it to plenary», Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, the committee's chairman, said before the meeting ended.

The substitute bill stated that when students finish junior high school, they shall have the option to choose between two education pathways: the College Preparatory Program under the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Technical-Vocational Program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

The substitute bill stated the DepEd «shall develop and implement a comprehensive curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 that prepares students for admission to colleges and universities.»

The substitute bill stated that the Tesda «shall develop and offer a variety of technical-vocational programs designed to equip students with practical skills and competencies for specific industries.»