SERIES # 5 : THERE'S ALWAYS THE FIRST TIME

I had mentioned on the first series about my apprehension of the implementation of the K to 12 Education System of the Philippines. That at some point I thought it is not yet ready and somehow the equipment and facilities of the public schools will not be available. All I thought before the implementation on public schools are all tracks and strands. Later have I realized that there will only be selected public schools to offer a pre-identified tracks and strands. The assignment is based on what facilities and capabilities are in the public schools. Thus, paving the way for private schools especially the big ones to offer almost all tracks and strands because they have the facilities in placed already.

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Going back to my journey, originally I am a college instructor and was transferred to Senior High School to be one of its coordinator. I was a bit ecstatic of the idea because I would be trading new waters. It is a new journey I am going to go through with all the other educators all over the Philippines being the first batch. Upon knowing that private schools offer more tracks and there is the voucher program, my apprehension is dwindling down a bit. The focus now is the delivery of the curriculum and the continuous explanation to the students of what the education system is.

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Our first year of operation had been a walk in the dark. This is the very first of the first batch. It was handful to handle around 4,000+ students. It was unexpected and chaotic. To add on, with some policies still under construction, our system is somehow anchored on the schools existing policies and guidelines. We had sail through the first year focusing on delivering quality education as the vision of the school is stated. Quality education through using technology-aided and outcomes-based learning strategies that is learner-centered. We were like on adventure with fragments of a map but it was what makes the adventure more meaningful and fruitful. Every stumble is look into thoroughly. Every cross roads are decided fairly. Every downfall is taken seriously so the lessons to learn are noted and taken action for the best of all stakeholders involve. The learning was enormous because things were mostly on trial and error basis but with the assurance of picking up the good learning. As I quote :

If there is one thing that a school is made for it is for learning. – DEPED

Thus, the first year was all about learning. Students and teachers alike are learning all school year round.

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The second year of operation we thought would be a bit easy for we had already the first year experience. To our delight we had 8,000+ students hahahahaha…. WHAT?!?!?! YES!!! We had about 4,200 students for Grade 12 and around 4,600 students for Grade 11. We were more than delighted, we were super ecstatic and still in chaos. It was the first batch of Grade 12 means it’s our first to deliver the curriculum and all the other content for Grade 12. Then there was the work-immersion that I personally coordinate. Handling 389 students for ICT that needs company to have their immersion, I was a resident online emailing industries align for ICT. Luckily I was able to look for partner industries to which I was able to immerse all of them. it was the best struggle of my two years journey but was definitely my learning ground, my growing up stage and my cream of the crop. The first two years of my journey had prepared me as we go to the next school year.

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Every single thing we had encountered the first two years is all worth it. The mistakes, failures, and stumbles had been our stepping stone to strengthen the policies, guidelines and standard procedures. The success, accomplishment and winnings had been our foundation to continue and keep going. It was not perfect but it was the best we have ever done and we are ready to rock the next school year.

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