This document discusses the Philippines' plans to enhance preschool education and make kindergarten compulsory and free. Key points include: 1) In order to meet education goals, the Philippines aims to include preschool/kindergarten in basic education and make it compulsory and free for all 5-year-olds. 2) This is intended to better prepare children for formal schooling, increase chances of completing school, and ensure better performance. 3) Challenges include the need for more classrooms, teachers, and instructional materials to accommodate the large number of kindergarten-age children.

4.  enhancement of the curriculum
 development of tracks
 adequacy of inputs
 change is two-fold
 adoption of open and consultative
process

5.  creation of a Task Force
 stakeholder consultations
 financial study
 Curriculum Review and
Enhancement
 teacher training
 legislation
 K +12 information

6. DIVINA GRACIA D. DIZON

7. Pre-school education consists of • In order to meet the 2015
nurseries and kindergartens that Millennium Development
cater to children aged 3-6. This Goals (MDGs) for
level of education is not Education, particularly MDG
compulsory. 2 to achieve universal primary
education, and the objectives
Preschool education is optional of Education for All (EFA),
for children 3 to 4 years old; some the inclusion of preschool,
private organizations and some currently known
public schools offer nursery, as Kindergarten in the basic
kindergarten and preparatory education cycle, making it free
classes. This is not prerequisite for and compulsory.
entrance to grade one for the
elementary level but most of the
• no child shall be admitted to
private schools require preschool of
kindergarten education before Grade 1 without having attended
admission. at least one year of preschool.

8. Pre-school education at the kindergarten level must aim to
develop children in all aspects (physical, social, emotional, and
cognitive) so that they will be better prepared to adjust and cope
with life situations and the demands of formal schooling; and to
maximize the children’s potential through a variety of carefully
selected and meaningful experiences considering their interests
and capabilities.

9. • The universal Kindergarten Education will prepare
physically, socially, emotionally and mentally all the five
(5)-year old children for formal schooling; hence,
increasing the children's chance of surviving and
completing formal schooling, reducing dropout incidence,
and ensuring better school performance.

10. • Big enrolment 2.5 million kindergarten
children by S.Y. 2011-2012
• 27,000 new items are needed for
kindergarten teachers.
• unfilled shortages of pre-school classrooms
and facilities
• insufficient instructional materials

11. • Department of Education will get the biggest slice of
P238.8 billion or 15.2% higher than the current
budget of P207.3 billion. (2012 National Budget)
• P1 billion from the Department of Education's
capital outlay to the maintenance and other operating
expenses of the kindergarten program and for hiring
additional teachers
• implementing contract of service
• engage the private sector and other community
stakeholders to upgrade the quality of the public
school system.

12. • FREE……is it?

13. • DepEd is getting P238.8 billion or 15.2%
higher for 2012.