Makati university holds orientation on K to 12

Wednesday 13th of June 2012

MAKATI CITY, June 13 (PIA) -- The city-run University of Makati (UMak) recently conducted an orientation for some 4,587 enrollees of the K to 12 program (Kindergarten plus 12 years) in preparation for the opening of classes today.

A statement posted on the local government website said that the city-owned university has been chosen to pilot test the implementation of the Department of Education K to12 offering Grades 11 and 12 or senior high school this school year 2012-2013.

In a report to Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, university president Prof. Tomas B. Lopez said that the 4,587 enrolees were given a two-day orientation on school policies and curricular and co-curricular programs being offered in senior high school.

Lopez also said that the number of enrollees exceeded their target, which was from 3,000 to 4,000 only.

Lopez said that given the huge number of enrollees, the senior high school or Grade 11 at UMak will have 90 sections with 50 students per class. Classes will be held the whole day in two shifts, morning and afternoon. The morning shift will be dedicated to academic lecture while the afternoon shift will be devoted to laboratory.

Lopez however assured that in terms of classrooms, curriculum, and faculty, UMak is all set as the university has created a department that will oversee the senior high school under the K to 12, dubbed “Higher School ng UMAK" (HSU).

Under the K to 12 program, the senior high school students will benefit on three counts. First, the students will have stronger foundation in the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science before entering university education. Second, they will have direct exposure to subjects related to their choice of profession to help them decide if they will pursue the course prior to entering college. Third, they will be able to acquire employable skills if they do not proceed to college.

Aside from these, senior high school enrollees will be provided with free school books, supplies and materials, uniform, and free transportation, similar to the privileges enjoyed by the students in the public elementary and high schools of Makati.

Recently, Binay announced that the city government is also planning to provide tablet computers to have more interactive and encouraging classroom scenario. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)