On May 15, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. signed Republic Act No. 10533, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (“K to 12 Program”). Section 2 of the law declares that “every graduate of basic education shall be an empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global communities, the capability to engage in autonomous, creative, and critical thinking, and the capacity and willingness to transform others and one’s self.”

 

      Beyond adversities, the Department of Education adopted the new curriculum to elevate the educational status of the country. Though the lack of preparation, the Department of Education (DepEd) allotted a huge amount for the launching. It is through the concerted effort of all the geniuses in the academe, including the former Schools Division Superintendent, Ronaldo Pozon, EdD, who made it all possible. 

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       In the City of Balanga, we are blessed for our very own, Armando C. Capili, EdD, the former principal of Bataan National High School-Junior HHigh School, to be chosen as one of the members of the National Speakers’ Bureau. DepEd Undersecretary Dina S. Ocampo chose crusaders who will disseminate information about the K to 12 programs and we were lucky that the city has the pleasure to have one.

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       The year before the implementation, Dr. Capili snatched the scenes of the netizens. Even during Barangay Week, he allowed the people to realize the value of Senior High School. Untirelessly, he spoke on the radio, on television, and even in public forums to convince people of what the new curriculum had to offer. In his vision, he restated that there would come a time that the country is   “borderless, ” where jobs from all over the globe will be coming in and out of the country. Without the Senior High School Program, our labor force will not improve; and consequently, we will be left behind in the international competition, that only jobs which are DANGEROUS, DIFFICULT, and DIRTY will be left for the Filipino workers.  This has made people realize its value.

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        One of the great leaders who shared the same vision with Dr. Capili was the late Hon. Enrique “Tet” Garcia. In his wheelchair, he still managed to convene his plans with his lawyer Joey Angeles and Dr. Capili. Indeed, Bataan National High School is well known for its excellence in the academe. Bataan made the institution a benchmark of excellence where many famous and prestigious Filipinos not only in the country but in the world have established a legacy. This may be one of the reasons why the sick lawmaker never stopped helping DepEd.  Before he died, he brought the mission nearer to reality. Consequently, his son, Hon. Albert S. Garcia continued all the ideas of the late congressman. The governor has braced Dr. Capili from the planning until the launching of the Senior High School in BNHS. Being a leader who gives importance to youth and to education, he supported every step of SHS towards the hurling. As proof, he allotted a huge amount of budget to education in the province.

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        DepEd Balanga City has also faced the challenge of Senior High School in the city, but through the dynamic effort of the former Schools Division Superintendent, Carolina S. Violeta, EdD and SGD Chief, Flordeliza Del Rosario, EdD, the implementation of the senior high school program became even.  Beyond the hardships are hardworking stakeholders. GPTA, DTI, BPSU, and TESDA took their part of the mission to generate the senior high school.