Press Release
Sept. 28, 2010

“No matter how you deodorize the K-12 program, the fact that it will aggravate the financial burden of parents and that the Aquino proposed education budget cannot resolve the shortages even under the current 10 year system clearly explains the program’s foolishness.”

This was the statement of Ayla Garduce, spokesperson of the No to K-12 Alliance, as high school students led by members of the League of Filipino Students and ANAKBAYAN held a lightning rally at the Department of Education today. They are protesting the K-12 program that according to them is impossible to work given the budget the government allocates to education.

“The education budget clearly explains why the K-12 program is a stupid move. Education budgets for the past years were unable to resolve the ballooning shortages in basic education and with the current proposed budget under Aquino, the shortages will continue to balloon. Adding two years will just add salt to the already rotting wound of basic education.”

Terry Ridon, national chairperson of the League of Filipino Students, mentioned that instead of the additional two years, the government should allocate greater subsidy to education.

“What they need to add on to is the budget–not the number of years! Before thinking of anything else, the government should make sure that the current 8 million out of school youth go to school, no student has to take his classes under a tree, or climb two mountains before getting to his school!”,

The high school students also expressed support to the campaign against the cut in State Universities and Colleges budget and will join the mobilization at the DBM on Friday, October 1.

“The SUC budget cut is another clear indication that education is not the priority of the Aquino administration. This is why we will continue to fight for every Filipino’s right to education in every venue possible, in Congress or in Mendiola!”, Ridon added. #