Lived Experience of Principals in the Implementation of K to 12 Program in the Philippines

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The implementation of the K to 12 (Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education: six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School) Program in 2012 was major education reform to address the challenges of the Philippine society in the midst of globalization, ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) integration, and changing education quality standards. After few years of implementation of K to 12 Program, there were a number of researches and critical reviews of the K to 12 Program that highlight its curricular dimension, its logistical nightmare, and its challenges and opportunities; but there is a dearth of study that delves into the lived experience of the school principals in the process of implementing the K to 12 Program. The objective of the study unfolds the lived experience of six public school principals in Manila as they implemented the K to 12 Program. This paper explored the lived experience of principals in the implementation of the K to 12 Program, which led to the identification of vision, creativity, passion for excellence, harnessing of stakeholders, strong commitment, and leadership as major drivers of K to 12 implementation. The principal as the key actor in the program implementation at lower level of education bureaucracy: (1) needs effective leadership qualities; (2) practices principal empowerment; (3) believes that political will as necessary component for effective implementation of education reform; (4) serves as effective communicator of change; (5) accepts that resistance as a feedback mechanism; (6) asserts that stakeholders’ participation in K to 12 Program; and (7) needs support system. The study was conducted in Manila, Philippines, which employed a phenomenological approach with 6 participants in six public secondary schools. KEY WORDS : K to 12 Program; Principal Empowerment; Education Reform; Leadership. About the Author: Prof. Dr. Arthur S. Abulencia is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences PNU (Philippine Normal University), Taft Avenue, Manila 1000, the Philippines. For academic interests, the Author is able to be contacted via e-mail address at: abulencia.as@pnu.edu.ph Suggested Citation: Abulencia, Arthur S. (2019). “Lived Experience of Principals in the Implementation of K to 12 Program in the Philippines” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies , Volume 12(1), August, pp.1-24. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI with ISSN 1979-7877 (print) and ISSN 2621-587X (online). Article Timeline: Accepted (May 20, 2019); Revised (July 17, 2019); and Published (August 31, 2019).