Much has been said and written about the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education program to be implemented next year here in the country. But what exactly is the K to 12 program? In its simplest terms, this means the new format starts from Kindergarten to Grade 12. We all know that prior to this set up, the country has been implementing a 10-year basic education system with six years of elementary education and four years of high school education.
In the new K to 12 program of the Department of Education, there will be a mandatory Kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school.
The program aims to uplift the quality of education in the Philippines in order for graduates to be easily employed. This curriculum is designed to enable graduates to join the work force right after high school, and suitably prepare those who want to go on to higher education.
The program also aims to meet the standards required for professionals who would want to work abroad. It supports college graduates seeking employment overseas as developed countries view our present 10-year education cycle as insufficient. Almost all countries now implement the 12-year minimum educational requirement.
Most importantly, the system aims to fully enhance and develop the students in order for them to be well-prepared especially in emotional and cognitive aspects. Through this, graduates will be able to face the pressures of their future workplace.
It is within this new curriculum that Global Innovative College (GIC) has pledged their support to the K to 12 Program by committing to provide career guidance to its students, initiating school-based interventions complementary to the schools’ academic enhancement of children and bridging the gap between the high school and the tertiary levels.
At present, GIC welcomes all high school graduates and college-level transferees who wish to gain a world class education. They are now offering the Senior High School (Grades 11 & 12) Program. Anyone with an above average scholastic record, of good moral character and willingness to work hard and learn how to become globally competitive in their chosen field will definitely find a home in GIC.
Global Innovative College is committed to producing leaders who will proudly carry the Philippines well into the global future.
Here’s more on what GCI has to offer:
Global Innovative College Applies 21st Century Learning to Senior High School
Six or seven years in elementary + four years in high school + four years in college.
That’s the equation that most of us are familiar with. But the Philippine government has modified the formula with the recent addition of two more years in high school. Beginning school year 2016, students will not be accepted into college unless they finish grades 11 and 12. And high school diplomas will only be issued to graduates of grade 12. The mandate on Grades 11 and 12 or what is collectively referred to as Senior High School has caused confusion and elicited a lot of complaints from parents and students.
But is it really such a bad thing? “Senior high school will allow our graduates to meet the global standard requirement of twelve years of basic education. It will let Filipinos be globally competitive. Those who want to work abroad will not have to take additional state examinations or certifications and will receive commensurate compensation,” rationalized Engr. Mike Tan, Global City Innovative College (GIC) President, during a meeting with a group of parent writers.
Engr. Mike Tan, Global Innovative College (GIC) President
“It will still be like high school but with specialization. The curriculum will be geared towards the student’s interest. The specialization will be reflected in the student’s choice of tracks and strands. The tracks and strands offered at GIC prepares students better for specific college programs. So the students move up to the next level better equipped,” explained Dr. Gerry De La Zerna, GIC Chairman for Senior High School.
Dr. Gerry De La Zerna, GIC Chairman for Senior High School.
The track is similar to what we refer to as ‘course’ in college while strands are similar to what is called ‘major’ in college.
Established in 2002, GIC offers Bachelor of Science courses on Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, Tourism Management, Medical Technology, Accountancy and Accounting Technology. And now they are introducing their Senior High School program.
“GIC wants to play a role in the country’s new education framework and do our share in bridging the gap between the high school and the tertiary levels. We also see this as an opportunity to cascade our approach to education to more students,” related Mike. “We employ 21st century learning. We offer a kind of education that addresses the needs of students to thrive in the future. We teach timeless skills that will serve as a strong foundation regardless of what the future holds. This is done through holistic and innovative education,” he continued.
GIC Mac Room
Students who enrol in GIC will have a unique 3D experience – discover, develop and direction. “We believe that these 2 years are critical yet confusing to a young student’s life stage. GIC’s 3D approach will help them discover their innate talents and gifts. Our unique enrichment programs for grades 11 and 12 aim to develop these talents and gifts by honing them with the needed skills needed for the 21st century.
Finally, GIC will help them determine and focus on the direction to take for the important life choices they will make for their career or further education. This innovative approach will be rooted in the 21st century education framework and fully compliant with the requirements of the Department of Education,” Mike guaranteed.
GIC offers Academic and Tech Voc tracks. Under the Academic track they have three strands: Accountancy Business and Management (ABM), Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS). Under the Tech Voc track, they have two strands: The first is Home Economics which includes pastry and bakery production; food and beverages; and tour guiding and tourism promotions. The second is Information and Communications Technology (ICT) where they have animation, computer programming and medical transcription. Slots per strand are limited.
GIC Classroom
To help the students decide on which track/strand to take GIC conducts a career assessment prior to enrolment. “We discuss the results with the parents and emphasize to them that students who pursue their interests are more likely to succeed. If students take up what they want, truancy in college is reduced,” Gerry disclosed.
Education the GIC way sounds really fun! Students will be thrilled that they will not be given assignments to bring home. “We want our students to do the assignments in school. We want them to be well-rounded and enjoy their social life and family life,” shared Gerry.
And there will be only four days of school. “The fifth day will be spent as immersion in their industry of choice. For example, if the topic is about interviews, we will let them spend the fifth day of the week going on interviews. We want them to get the experience so that when they return to the classroom, they will understand the discussion better. If it’s all lecture then everything remains abstract. They will not comprehend until they go through it. And the experience will make them remember better,” justified Gerry.
“Senior high school is more about skills but not just technical skills, we must not forget the soft skills such as attitude and personality. They have to learn more skills that will match with what the industry wants like critical thinking, decision making, and presentation skills. These are the things we will teach you in GIC through our curriculum enhancement,” emphasized Gerry.
With Dr. Gerry Dela Zerna
The Life course is an example of an enhancement. It is a required subject. “This is where we guide them to discover themselves and embrace their uniqueness, we teach them to explore their community and relate with others properly. It is also in the Life course where we prepare them for the professional world and life realities,” said Mr. Jayson Bergania, GIC Director for Innovative Holistic Development Education. How I wish we had this during our time!
Last but not the least, the teachers at GIC are industry practitioners who can provide real life examples and impart their experience from the field.
After graduating from Senior High School in GIC, students can explore three options. They can move up to college for higher studies and pursue the specialization track taken in senior high school. No entrance exam if they enrol in GIC! Or they can get a job armed with a TESDA certification (when applicable) of the chosen specialization in senior high school. However, with this, their chances of moving up will be limited to middle management positions at the most. Because companies usually require a college degree for promotion to higher levels. The third option involves starting their own business.
“At the end of the day, the objective is to have GIC’s high school graduates be both industry-ready and college-ready,” concluded Mike.
Know more about Global City Innovative College and its Senior High School program through www.global.edu.ph or by calling (02) 882-4242 and (02) 666-8881 to 82.
GIC is located at PET Plans Tower Annex, 444 EDSA, Makati City 1211 (near Estrella Street and Rockwell).
Get updates at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalCityInnovativeCollege/
Twitter: GCICph
Instagram: GCICph
YouTube: GCICph
Global Innovative College
Senior High School (Grades 11 & 12) Program
GIC President, Eng. Mike Tan
Why did Global City Innovative College (GIC) decide to offer Senior High School or Grades 11 and 12?
GIC wants to play a role in the country’s new education framework and do our share in bridging the gap between the high school and the tertiary levels. We also see this as an opportunity to cascade our approach to education to more students.
What is this approach to education that GIC applies?
We employ 21st century learning. We offer a kind of education that addresses the needs of students to thrive in the future. We teach timeless skills that will serve as a strong foundation regardless of what the future holds. This is done through holistic and innovative education.
What is the value of Senior High School?
It is necessary to meet the global standard requirement of twelve years of basic education. It will allow Filipinos to be globally competitive. Those who want to work abroad will not need to take additional state examinations or certifications and will receive commensurate compensation.
Is Senior High School necessary?
Yes, because it has been mandated by the government through the Department of Education. Beginning school year 2016, students will not be accepted into college unless they finish grades 11 and 12. And high school diplomas will only be issued to graduates of grade 12.
How does Senior High School work?
It will still be like high school but with specialization. The curriculum will be geared towards the student’s interest. The specialization will be reflected in the student’s choice of tracks and strands. The track is similar to what we refer to as ‘course’ in college while strands are similar to what is called ‘major’ in college. The tracks and strands offered at GIC prepares students better for specific college programs. So the students move up to the next level better equipped.
What tracks and strands are available at GIC?
At GIC, we offer Academic and Tech Voc tracks.
Under the Academic track we have three strands:
- Accountancy Business and Management (ABM)
- Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)
Under the Tech Voc track, we have two strands:
- Home Economics which includes pastry and bakery production; food and beverages; and tour guiding and tourism promotions
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT) where we have animation, computer programming and medical transcription
There are very limited slots per strand.
How do the students decide on which track/strand to take?
At GIC, we help them figure out the direction they will take through a career assessment prior to enrolment. We discuss the results with the parents and emphasize to them that students who pursue their interests are more likely to succeed. If students take up what they want, truancy in college is reduced.
Why should they choose to enrol in GIC?
Students who enrol in GIC will have a unique 3D experience – discover, develop and direction.
We believe that these 2 years are critical yet confusing to a young student’s life stage. GIC’s 3D approach will help them discover their innate talents and gifts. GIC’s unique enrichment programs for grades 11 and 12 aim to develop these talents and gifts by honing them with the needed skills needed for the 21st century. Finally, GIC will help them determine and focus on the direction to take for the important life choices they will make for their career or further education. This innovative approach will be rooted in the 21st century education framework and fully compliant with the requirements of the Department of Education. Also, if they enrol in senior high school in GIC, they can go straight to GIC college, they don’t have to take the entrance exam.
The 3D experience is reflected in many ways.
The Department of Education has a prescribed curricula but GIC enriches it. Our curricular enhancement is our edge. We have less scholastic requirements and more real life learning and industry practice. Senior high school is more about skills but not just technical skills, we must not forget the soft skills such as attitude and personality. They have to learn more skills that will match with what the industry wants like critical thinking, decision making, and presentation skills. These are the things we will teach you in GIC. The Life course is an example of an enhancement. It is a required subject. This is where we guide them to discover themselves and embrace their uniqueness, we teach them to explore their community and relate with others properly. It is also in the Life course where we prepare them for the professional world and life realities.
We will not allow teachers to give students assignments to bring home. We want our students to do the assignments in school. We want them to be well-rounded and enjoy their social life and family life.
We will just have four days of school. The fifth day will be spent as immersion in their industry of choice. For example, if the topic is about interviews, we will let them spend the fifth day of the week going on interviews. We want them to get the experience so that when they return to the classroom, they will understand the discussion better. If it’s all lecture then everything remains abstract. They will not comprehend until they go through it. And the experience will make them remember better.
Our teachers are industry practitioners who can provide real life examples and impart their experience from the field.
What happens after one graduates from Senior High School in GIC?
They have three options:
- They can move up to college for higher studies and pursue the specialization track taken in senior high school. As an added perk, if they graduate from senior high school in GIC, they can go straight to GIC college, they don’t have to take the entrance exam.
- They can get a job armed with a TESDA certification (when applicable) of the chosen specialization in senior high school. But with this, their chances of moving up will be limited to middle management positions at the most. Because companies usually require a college degree for promotion to higher levels.
- They can start their own business.
At the end of the day, the objective is to have GIC’s high school graduates be both industry-ready and college-ready.
How can we get in touch with GIC?
Address: PET Plans Tower Annex, 444 EDSA, Makati City 1211 (near Estrella and Rockwell)
Phone numbers: (02) 882-4242 and (02) 666-8881 to 82
Website: http://www.global.edu.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalCityInnovativeCollege/
Twitter: GCICph
Instagram: GCICph
YouTube: GCICph
JAZZRUNNER 