(We yield this space to the statement of the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan due to its timeliness. – Ed.)
WE WELCOME the recent statement of Secretary Liling Briones that the Education department will hold a “thorough” review of the K-12 curriculum after the pilot batch of the Senior High School graduated a few months back. The review intends the youth to gain more life skills apparently to adapt with the changing times.
We, at Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan or Spark fully agree that the world is evolving. Advancements in technology have altered the landscape of industry and employment, making it equally challenging for educators to upgrade their tools of instruction and for the youth to compete for scarce, decent jobs as millions graduate from universities and vocational-technological institutions yearly. This on top of the menace of contractual employment sweeping all industries.
While state agencies as well as captains of industries are more concerned with the quality of work the graduates of the K to 12 program will offer, we would like to bring to the attention of not only the DepEd but also the general public the other side of the coin.
No one seems to bother about the quality of life the K to 12 graduates. It seems to be off the radar for many in the bureaucracy as the government continues to falter in generating quality jobs. But what bothers us most is that the Duterte administration continues to sacrifice us in the pagan altars of capital by maintaining our ignorance to our constitutionally-guaranteed rights.
While many will claim that the quality of life is commensurate to the education attained and employment landed after graduation, dignity is not measured by salary grade or perks derived from one’s job. We seek much more for the youth, we envision the youth to be critical-minded, dignified and productive members of society to play a pivotal role in nation-building.
If DepEd’s retains its mantra that senior high school graduates are “job ready” then it would only be logical for them to be taught their labor rights in preparation for employment. The inclusion of a special subject on labor rights should cover topics such as salaries and wages, employment policies, state-sanctioned benefits, grievances procedures and other political rights in the workplace.
Labor rights must be included as a core curriculum subject of the senior high schools since wage employment is an option every senior high school graduate may choose. This will also ensure that they won’t fall victim to abusive employers or parasitic manpower agencies.
To exclude our rights in the curriculum is tantamount to chaining us to a life of ignorance, apathy, poverty, and undignified lives.
