ERJHS conducts nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill

By ANGELA PALOMAR, FRANKLIN GUTIERREZ & DREICO PONIDO

E. Rodriguez Jr. High School (ERJHS) students took part in an earthquake drill that was coordinated by Mr. Andy Regala.

The said practice was held at the ERJHS quadrangle and was carried out under the supervision of their respective subject teachers.

“You will proceed through the nearest exit and, as much as possible, in the nearest open space where you will be seated”. Mr Regala explained.

Mr. Regala emphasises the importance of doing this kind of drills inside and outside the school. He also gives importance to being ready at any moment and how you will carry yourself when a disaster like this happens. he proposal of a new curriculum K+10+2 from former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, if it will be approved, would be a big hassle and a long process of adjustment for the Education sector in our country. Sticking with the current K to 12 curriculum would be a preferable choice, considering that it has only been 10 years since former president Benigno Aquino Jr. implemented the curriculum. We would just go back to square one if we insist on changing the curriculum, our country doesn’t have the capability and finances to support the change.

Students are preparing for possible earthquakes that will hit the school and what to do if ERJHS is hit, this is after a series of strong earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 to 7.0 hit in different parts of Luzon.

Exercises like these are essential as they equip the faculty and students with the knowledge they need to react rapidly and responsibly in the event of an earthquake.

The institution checks for locations around the school that need renovation after conducting drills.

In the 10 years K-12 was implemented it took a long time for us to adjust to the changes. They used a budget of Php 150 billion allotted for the implementation of the K-12 program. In our country’s current situation, our economy is still trying to recover after the pandemic, we won’t have the budget to pursue the K+10+2 curriculum.

K-12 is more beneficial in the long run, especially for those who want to work abroad after finishing school. To be able to work in other countries, it is a requirement to have 13 years of basic education, which is why they decided to add another 2 years of education.

Most Filipinos regard working abroad as better than staying in the Philippines because there are more opportunities available in other countries.

The K+10+2 curriculum would be helpful to lessen students’ and parents’ burden with education expenses, they wouldn’t have to pay for another two years of education. However, if a student wants to pursue tertiary education they still need to do two years of a postsecondary or pre-university program, which prepares them for college. The pre-university program is similar to the purpose of senior high school, in which they have tracks that correlate to courses in college that teach students skills they can use in the future.

The added two years give students time to contemplate and enhance their skills. The K-12 program aims for students to have the preparedness for them to continue to higher education. Students that graduate from senior high school are considered young adults, they are considered more mature and have the mental capacity for college.

E. Rodriguez Jr. Highschool is still lacking in some aspects of senior highschool education. Not having the right equipment needed for certain strands and missing one of the basic tracks, are the things lacking in senior high school and should be given attention. That’s why instead of changing the curriculum, DepEd should improve and make plans for the development of the current K-12 curriculum.