Education

The Department of Education is the Government body responsible for the administration and supervision of the Philippines education system.

PRIMARY EDUCATION
• Compulsory
• Six years in duration
o 4 year primary cycle
o 2 year intermediate cycle.

Primary Cycle
Duration: Four years (grades I – IV, age 7 to 11).

Intermediate Cycle
Duration: Two years (grades V – VI, age 11 to 13).

• In grades I & II
o Medium of instruction is generally in the local dialect
o English and Filipino taught as second languages

• From grade III onwards
o Mathematics and Science are taught in English
o Social sciences and Humanities taught in Filipino

Children begin first grade at the age of 7. Promotion is granted annually from one grade to the next provided that students meet the achievement standards set for the grade. Promotion is based on a cumulative rating system. After satisfactorily completing the six-year elementary curriculum, students receive a certificate of graduation from the elementary school. No examination is required for admission to public secondary schools. The Certificate of Graduation is awarded to students who complete six years of primary education.


SECONDARY EDUCATION
Duration: Four years (grades VII – X, age 13 to 17)

Three main types
• General secondary school
o Attended by 90% of the student body

• Vocational secondary school
o Heavier focus in vocational training and practical arts

• Science secondary schools
o Students who have demonstrated a particular gift in science at the primary level

Admission is automatic for those who have completed six years of primary school. Promotion from one grade to the next is the same as that in the Primary Education system. If a student fails to get a final rating of no less than 75% in a particular subject he will need to repeat the subject the following year albeit he will be promoted. Students usually receive a Diploma (Katibayan) from their high school upon completing their 4 years of Secondary Education. In addition, they are awarded the secondary school Certificate of Graduation (Katunayan) by the Department of Education. Students are then issued a Form 137-A which lists out all classes they have taken and the grades they earned.


TERTIARY EDUCATION
• Higher Education
• University Higher Education
o Bachelor’s
o Master of Art/Science
o Doctor of Philosophy

• Non-University Higher Education
o Programs that lead to Certificate of Proficiency or a Diploma

• Teacher Education
o 4 years in length
o Bachelor’s degree in elementary education (B.E.Ed)
o Bachelor’s degree in secondary education (B.S.Ed)

In Summary: