Palace clarifies Marcos not against K-12 program

Elementary students arrive for the first day of classes at President Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City on June 16, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Malacañang clarified Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is not against the K-12 program, even as he criticized it, saying it has failed to deliver on its promises to make Filipino students more employable, while putting more financial burden on their families.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pointed out that the administration is working closely with the private sector to improve the current education system under the K-12 program, while the law is still in effect.

“Okay. Gusto po nating liwanagin ito. Hindi po niya sinasabi na tutol siya sa K-12. Ang sinabi lang po niya ay hindi naging epektibo agad dahil hindi nai-prepare ang mga ahensiya para dito. At ngayon po sa pamamagitan din po ni Secretary Angara, ini-improve po ito pero ayon po sa ating Pangulo, hangga’t nandiyan po ang batas para sa K-12 ito po ay susuportahan at palalawigin at pag-iibayuhin nang maayos para sa ating mga estudyante,” Castro said in a Malacañang briefing.

“So, hindi naman po siya tutol talaga sa K-12; aayusin po ngayon.”

Asked to comment on Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s proposed measure to shorten college education to three years instead of four, Castro said it will comply with the law.

“Pero kung ano po ang magiging batas, iyon din po ang susundin. Pero ngayon na nandidiyan po ang batas, ito po ay bibigyan po ng halaga at palalawigin at pagagandahin pa po,” she said.