CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 121: THE START OF DEBATE 2

After the command was given, Jeff carefully selected someone he could trust, someone that is reliable enough to do the job properly and provide the support the team needed.

The girls did the same, picking their most dependable team members. They chose those who were skilled at researching and gathering solid sources.

Once both teams were in position at the front of the classroom, standing with confidence and ready to represent their sides, Teacher Annie stepped forward and addressed them clearly.

"To formally begin the debate, I will serve as your moderator for today’s discussion," she announced.

"Each side will be given two minutes to present their arguments, one was to defend why the K to 12 program should be retained, and the other to explain why its removal would be a better course of action." she stated.

She cast her gaze across both sides, observing their expressions closely.

On one side, Andre stood holding the script, looking unusually confident, as if the paper in his hands guaranteed victory.

On the opposite side stood Celeste. She was calm, deadly calm. But her eyes told a different story.

They burned with fiery determination, almost like they were silently saying, to bring it on.

"Retention side, you may now begin. You have two minutes to present your argument. Good luck," Teacher Annie announced.

Hearing that it was his time to shine, Andre walked to the front with a pretty bold step.

Holding his notes, he stood at the center, cleared his throat, and looked at the crowd of classmates before him.

"Are we willing to go backward when we’ve already taken a step forward?" He asked glancing at them one by one.

When he said this, the boys erupted into applause, as if he had just delivered a groundbreaking statement.

The reaction made Andre beam with pride, boosting his confidence even more.

For those who clapped? They don’t understand while some don’t care, they just want to boost their winnings by clapping.

"So, good day, everyone. Today, we face an important question not just about a curriculum, but about our direction as a nation. The K to 12 Basic Education Program is more than just two additional years in school. It is a carefully designed system that prepares us students to compete and thrive in a global landscape."

His voice rang clearly across the classroom that is steady and loud.

"K to 12 extends basic education from ten years to twelve this align us with international standards. Prior to its implementation, the Philippines was one of only three countries in the world with a ten-year education cycle. As a result, many of our students were at a disadvantage when applying for work abroad or pursuing higher education in foreign universities. We were, literally, falling behind."

He said, which is really impactful to all the people in the room, it will be much more amazing if he says this without looking at the notes.

"This program was not introduced without purpose. It was developed to enhance student readiness starting with employment for tertiary education, and even for entrepreneurship. Senior High School offers specialized tracks that give students the freedom to choose their path early on, allowing them to cultivate the skills they need for real-life success."

"You all know that most developed countries, starting from the United States and Canada to South Korea, Australia and Leywa, they have implemented a twelve-year education system. If we remove K to 12 now, we are not just changing a policy; we are rejecting progress and placing future generations at risk of being left behind once more."

"Let us not forget: K to 12 is not perfect, but it is progress. And progress, when nurtured, leads to transformation."

"Thank you," he said with a bow, his face filled with a smile.

He felt proud of himself, thinking he looked really cool just now.

The class could not help but clap, and even the teacher nodded her head in appreciation.

Jeff, Arven, and the others, seeing that everything went well, sighed in relief.

"We’ve heard the Retention side emphasize how K to 12 aligns with global standards and prepares students for the future. Now let’s give the floor to the Removal side. Please begin your two minutes start now." Teacher Annie said.

Celeste, wearing a confident smile, looked at the crowd as she held the paper. But unlike Andre, she did not read from it directly as she began.

"What would you do if your younger sibling had to stop studying because your family couldn’t afford two more years of school?" she asked, starting with a strong and thoughtful question.

"Good day, everyone. Today, we stand not just as students, but as the voices of those who are silently struggling because of the K to 12 program. We believe that this system, while introduced with good intentions, has failed in practice and it is time we speak up and demand its removal."

"Because, to be honest, the biggest impact of K to 12 has been on the wallets of our families. Two extra years of education means two more years of uniforms, projects, transportation, lunch money, and school supplies. And for what? Many families are already sacrificing just to get their children through ten years of school. K to 12 has turned that into twelve and not everyone can keep up." She said as she made an action of slashing with her hands.

Jeff, who was listening this could not help but nod since the speech was superb and even the others were feeling the emotion she was giving.

"And here’s the truth: for all that extra time and money, what do we really gain? We were told K to 12 would prepare us for jobs, for college, and for real life. But even now, many senior high school graduates still struggle to find work. Others are told they still need a college diploma to be taken seriously. Where’s the progress in that?" She stated with a smile.

Because in the Philippines today, that statement holds weight.

Despite the promise that K to 12 would make graduates more, job-ready unemployment among senior high school graduates remains high. Many employers still prefer applicants with college degrees, especially for decent-paying jobs.

The DepEd and CHED may have envisioned a system where students could work right after Grade 12, but the labor market didn’t adapt to that promise.

Companies continue to list college-level qualifications as the minimum effectively undermining the supposed goal of employability after high school.

So when she asked, ’Where’s the progress in that?’, it reflected the frustration of thousands of students who invested two extra years, only to face the same barriers that existed before.

In a country where education is already a struggle for the poor, failing to create true opportunities after K to 12 is not just disappointing rather a concern.

"This is not just a system that needs improvement. This is a system that is pushing students to drop out, forcing parents into debt, and making education more difficult to reach. We are not against education. We are against a program that’s doing more harm than good."

"Because isn’t education a bridge to opportunity? And also it must not be a wall that only the privileged can climb."

"That is all, thank you," she said, not even glancing at the paper she had brought.

The girls clapped proudly, while the boys remained quiet. After all, it was not their team, so why would they cheer?

Teacher Annie, however, was ecstatic. She was genuinely impressed by how amazing and well-crafted her student’s speech had been.

"Thank you to the first speaker of the Removal side. You’ve clearly highlighted several key concerns particularly the financial burden K to 12 places on families, and the ongoing issue of unemployment even after senior high school. You’ve also questioned whether the promised benefits of the program have truly reached the students it was meant to help." She said, stating those important concepts from her speech.

"With that, we will now proceed to the interpellation. A representative from the Retention side may step forward to ask questions for clarification or challenge any of the points raised. Please keep your questions respectful, focused, and within the time limit."

Seeing that it was finally happening, all of them were filled with excitement. This was the moment they had been waiting for.

But Andre was shaking all over. He did not know how to argue, and his mind was blank on what to say right now.

He had a script, and that gave him some comfort, but when it came to real arguments where critical thinking was needed, it became nerve-racking for him.

Still, he knew he could not retreat. Jeff and the rest of his teammates had done their best.

If he backed out now, where would he even put his face?

So at the very least, he had to fight back. As the two stepped forward and stood about five feet apart, their serious expressions showed no hint of backing down.

Seeing this, Teacher Annie felt her blood stir with excitement.

"Retention side, you are now given two minutes to ask your questions. You may also ask follow-up questions based on the responses," she announced firmly.

...

1st: Special thanks to ’Essos👑’ – the GOAT of the month, for both the rewarding gifts and golden tickets! Much love, brotha!

2nd: Big thanks to ’Pat_funding👑’ for the unwavering support since the very start of my journey and for the golden tickets and gifts!

3rd: Special shoutout to ’Devon1234👑’ – The same GOAT of this month, for all the amazing gifts! You’re absolutely RAD!