So let me expound on my Facebook posts regarding enrolling
our son to first grade…
Back in 2012 we enrolled LK for a Nursery class in a private
school near our place in Pasay. He was four years old and seven months then. By
2013 he was already in Kindergarten class. So I was hoping and was in good
faith that he will be eligible to be enrolled in first grade by year 2014. Why?
That is because he can read and write (although not that very good) and he was
an honor student. And so I thought.
But what we didn’t know is that there was already this
memorandum back in May 2011 from DepEd which is the Order No. 37 S. 2011 that
states:
b. Enrolment
Requirements
(1)
Only children who are five (5) years old by June and until October 2011 shall
be eligible for enrolment in Kindergarten classes
We only found this out when we were already scouting for a
new school for LK. This memo was actually in St. Mary’s Academy’s FAQ flyer but
we didn’t notice it because our very first concern was the tuition fee.
The next school that we visited was the San Isidro Catholic
School. This time the information officer asked us how old is LK is. So we told
her that he will be turning 6 come November 6th. That is the time
that we were informed about the cutoff date. We were not yet alarmed by that
time since LK will just be transferring school.
Then we went to Arellano University. We were able to speak
to the Guidance Counselor and informed him about the age issue. He said that it
won’t be a problem and LK can undergo interview and some assessment. So we said
OK.
And since Southeastern College is just nearby we also paid a
visit. We got some flyers and requirements but I can’t remember if we did inquire
regarding age requirement.
That day we decided that we will enroll LK in Arellano University.
Upon completion of all the required paperwork we went back
to enroll LK. And only to find out that they won’t be able to accept LK for
Grade 1 due to his date of birth. And the debate begins. In my irritation (but
in a calm voice) I asked the person in charge in the enrolment: “So dapat po pala hindi namin ginawa ng
February si LK?” She smiled and explained that it is the rule and “ayaw naman nilang makasuhan” daw for not following orders. Rule daw yun for the new curriculum which is
the K to 12 program. Or if we want we can enroll LK in Kinder II.
So we went home disheartened, made a Facebook post. That’s
how I got the idea of speaking with someone from DepEd.
Before going to DepEd I made a research about K to 12 and
double checked the required age. And here’s what I got:
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the
twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.
AN ACT ENHANCING THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION
SYSTEM BY STRENGTHENING ITS CURRICULUM AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YEARS FOR
BASIC EDUCATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Short
Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Enhanced Basic Education
Act of 2013″.
SEC. 4. Enhanced Basic Education Program. — The enhanced basic education
program encompasses at least one (1) year of kindergarten education, six (6)
years of elementary education, and six (6) years of secondary education, in
that sequence. Secondary education includes four (4) years of junior high
school and two (2) years of senior high school education.
Kindergarten
education shall mean one (1) year of preparatory education for children at
least five (5) years old as a prerequisite for Grade I.
Elementary
education refers to the second stage of compulsory basic education which is
composed of six (6) years. The entrant age to this level is typically six (6) years old.
So it says typically,
or in other words naturally, normally,
usually. It wasn’t mandatory which means obligatory/compulsary/required. So sabi ko may laban ako. And again
it wasn’t LK’s fault that he was born in November. If we should have known that
there will be Kto12 curriculum hindi na namin sya ginawa ng February. Or sana
ginapang namin na ma-CS ako by October 31. Diba?
The next thing I researched was the DepEd order which I already
mentioned earlier.
Just then I noticed that the DepEd order was made in 2011
and the K to 12 law was implemented (?) in 2012. From my point of view, this is
incorrect. They should be providing me a DepEd order implemented after K to 12
was put into law.
So we paid a visit to Deped Division Office located in
Zamora St. Pasay City. We were able to speak with Mr. San Juan. Unfortunately
he only handles public schools and he cannot give us his word with anything concerning private
schools. But according to him if we will enroll LK in a public school they will
already consider his age. Anyway it is just 6 days from the mandated cutoff. We also mentioned that they are offering us Kinder II or Senior Kinder. But according to him it is already discouraged to private schools since that is not complying with the K to 12 program. But he told us to come back and speak with Mrs. Tonel who is in charged with private schools' affairs.
And so we returned. They were still having a little debate
since I believe they were already oriented with my issue. (Anyway we weren’t the
first parents to complain. There's this kid was born November 3rd.) This
time the Superintendent is present and just agreed for LK to be interviewed and
assessed by the school and if he passed then he can be enrolled. Actually kahit
sila medyo naguguluhan din. I still have a lot of questions sana like how did
they come up with the cutoff date, and how about those kids who are just 4
years old but already thinks like 7? Correct? But they are in a hurry since
they will be attending an event in the Municipal Hall. But at least I already
got what I need.
That afternoon we all went to Arellano University for LK to
be enrolled. He sung when he was asked to sing. He passed the assessment and
got 4 stars. Tapos bayaran na. See you in June 9. :D
I am thankful we were able to get thru this challenge.
Salamat at kahit papaao may dugong Iska pa rin pala ako. Kelan ba ako huling
nangalkal ng batas na halos mamemorize ko na din? College days pa. Kapanahunan
ng Solid Waste Management Act.
Unfortunately I lost a friend along the way (that is, if she
really treats me as a friend). But of course anak ko ang pinag-uusapan. And no
one knows the capacity or limitations of a child but his or her parents alone.
Muli, wag papasindak. Wag tanggap lang ng tanggap. Wag lang
oo ng oo. Alamin ang mga bagay-bagay. Makipaglaban kung sa tingin mo meron kang
ilalaban. At tumaggap ng pagkakamali kung kinakailangan.
Here’s to a more successful 2014-2015 school year!
Resources:
