Numbers without depth?

By Herman M. Lagon

From its inception, the K–12 Philippine education has been hotly contested. Originally launched in 2013 to match national educational standards with international norms, the K–12 program—especially its Mathematics curriculum—has been hailed for its ambition and attacked for its execution.

A conversation inspired this article with my Problem Solving, Mathematical Investigation, and Mathematical Modeling students. We examined the 109-page K-12 Mathematics curriculum guide, which has been required for all basic education teachers and institutions more than a decade ago. Our discussion revealed insights and critiques about educators’ and students’ struggles with this ambitious educational reform.

The K-12 Mathematics curriculum was created to prepare us for a globalized world. It aimed to produce graduates who could apply mathematical concepts in real life. However, the implementation of the K-12 curriculum–including the Universal Kindergarten and Senior High School systems–has revealed several significant shortcomings that hinder its effectiveness in light of the many studies and critiques from the academe, affirmed by the “Miseducation” report of EDCOM 2.

The curriculum’s overwhelming coverage is a significant issue. It is a kilometric range of topics, leaving students with a superficial understanding of math. Students learn basic mathematical concepts fragmentedly with this “breadth-over-depth” approach. Although they can perform procedures mechanically, they need to think critically and creatively and help apply them in real life. The mis-implementation of the Spiral Progression Approach and the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) systems had worsened the whole teaching-learning process.

Teachers, especially in rural or under-resourced areas, need to be more consistently prepared, compounding this issue. Due to insufficient training and professional development, many K-12 teachers need help to teach advanced topics such as analytic geometry, calculus, statistics, and probability. The rapid K-12 program rollout did not address the need for continuous teacher support and development, resulting in significant educational disparities nationwide.

My students also worried about the curriculum’s focus on procedural knowledge over conceptual understanding. They noted that they mainly learned by memorizing steps and formulas without understanding the concepts. This approach hinders their critical thinking and ability to solve complex problems, which are increasingly important today.

Assessment methods for K-12 Mathematics were also examined. Exams that emphasize rote memorization and procedure discourage creativity and deeper learning. Students focused on passing standardized tests often prioritize memorization over comprehension. My math major students who were direct recipients of K-12 system said this assessment style makes passing the test more important than learning the much-needed concepts in depth.

Curriculum misalignment with real-world applications is another related major issue. Statistics and probability are taught in K-12 but rarely apply to practical, relevant, and tangible situations. Students lose motivation and interest in the subject because they can’t relate it to their lives outside of class.

We also discussed equity, inclusivity, and access disparities. Urban schools outperform rural or disadvantaged areas due to better resources like internet connectivity, educational technologies, laboratories, digital applications, and more experienced teachers. Due to the K-12 Mathematics curriculum, underprivileged students are less likely to receive the support they need to succeed. The curriculum barely addresses this systemic issue.

Despite its critical role in modern education, technology in mathematics is often poorly integrated into classrooms. Many schools lack adequate educational technology, and teachers are seldom trained or equipped to effectively utilize it. As a result, the vast potential of digital tools and applications—such as Desmos, GeoGebra, PhotoMath, ChatGPT, MS Office Tools, Canva, YouTube, Khan Academy, PHET Simulations, Zoom, Kahoot!, Quizizz, Seesaw, Nearpod, Google Forms and Drives, as well as learning management systems, collaboration platforms, productivity models, plagiarism detectors, and research applications—remains largely untapped in enhancing students’ understanding and engagement in mathematics.

Teachers’ ongoing professional development, without question, is one vital priority. New teaching methods and best practices are constantly emerging in mathematics education. However, the K-12 program needs to provide more ongoing teacher training, forcing them to use outdated methods. This lack of support makes curriculum implementation inconsistent and ineffective.

My students were also frustrated by the lack of teacher, student, parent, and industry leaders involvement in curriculum evaluation and refinement. Without the input of those directly affected by the curriculum, educational experiences may become increasingly disconnected from classroom realities.

The implementation of the K-12 Mathematics curriculum is hindered by inadequate resources, large class sizes, overloads and multi-taskings, and the pressure to meet national standards without sufficient support. These challenges make it difficult for students to fully achieve the curriculum’s goals, often leaving them with an incomplete education. Furthermore, the validity of these standards is questionable, especially when a measure becomes the target, as it then ceases to be an effective measure. The overemphasis on standardized testing and quantitative assessments—assuming they are administered with complete honesty—has reduced the educational objective to merely achieving high test scores. Consequently, both students and teachers become more focused on “teaching to the test” rather than engaging with the material in a meaningful and enriching way.

Although these challenges exist, the K-12 Mathematics curriculum is seen as a major advancement in educational reform. However, it must be actively improved to be effective. This includes rewriting the curriculum to emphasize depth over breadth, providing ongoing teacher professional development, and aligning it with real-world applications.

Our K-12 mathematics education is ambitious but lacking in several key areas. Although late, its overloaded content, procedural focus, and poor practical application alignment must be addressed. The curriculum can become a powerful tool for equipping Filipino students with the skills they need to succeed in a complex world with thoughtful revisions and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Recognizing and addressing these challenges will determine the future of basic education. By doing so, we can ensure that the K-12 Mathematics curriculum is a solid foundation for future Filipino learners. Take advantage of this educational reform opportunity to create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

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Doc H, a “student of and for life” like many others, wants a life-giving, why-driven world based on social justice and happiness. His views may not reflect those of his employers or associates.