Global Innovative College Expounds on the Benefits of Senior High School

What is the global standard in basic education?

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippines is the last country in Asia and among the last three in the world (Angola and Djibouti are the other two) that offers a 10-year pre-college education cycle. For a country that excels in many branches of industry, particularly in the field of allied medical professions, it seems our educational system is far way below global standards. Now I understand why my two sisters in the United States had to take several exams in nursing first prior to their employment to complete U.S. standards because the Philippines' basic education system does not meet U.S. Federal State requirements.

GIC Lecture hall...

The idea of Senior High School (K-12) or additional two more years in high school came about two years ago when President Benigno Aquino and the DepEd finally recognized that 10 years of pre-college education is not sufficient to meet industry global standards and have come to a decision to implement Senior High School.

Engr. Mike Tan, GIC President...

After years of planning, heated discussions with various sectors of the educational spectrum, its roll-out will finally go as planned. However, despite its impending implementation starting school year 2016, many Filipinos, most especially parents, are still confused and clueless about the advantages of K-12 in general. Currently, people just see K-12 as an added financial burden for the parents who are ultimately the ones to pay the cost of two more years of high school education. Likewise, the government need to haul in a huge amount of budget to equip every public high school in the country for the added Grade 11 and 12 facilities. Unfortunately, many schools, particularly in remote areas, are still ill-equipped in providing the least of the basic school facilities such as classrooms, books and qualified teachers. What more with K-12?

Gerry Dela Cerna, GIC Senior High School Head...

Again, now that K-12 is here, how can a lowly Filipino, whose only wish is to finish school as quickly as possible so he can help the family and be a productive unit of the society, cope? I would like to believe that a question such as this one is in many students and parents’ minds who are still grappling to understand about the benefits K-12 can bring to our future professionals and to this country.

The Mac Room...

The Global Innovative College - GIC is one of the few learning institutions that has broken the traditional teaching approach in college education. At GIC, “We employ 21st century learning. We offer a kind of education that addresses the needs of students to thrive in the future. We teach timeless skills that will serve as a strong foundation regardless of what the future holds. This is done through holistic and innovative education” explains Engr. Mike Tan, GIC President.

Personal lockers for every student...

GIC advocates and supports government efforts in uplifting the educational standard of our country through the implementation of Senior High School. For the Philippines, being one of the top senders of professionals in the world, it is a must that we level up to the standards all of the countries in the world require. “Senior high school will allow our graduates to meet the global standard requirement of twelve years of basic education. It will let Filipinos be globally competitive. Those who want to work abroad will not have to take additional state examinations or certifications and will receive commensurate compensation,” rationalized Engr. Tan. 

Kevin, one of GIC's treasured alumni who graduated Cum laude

To the question that Senior High School may ease financial burden of an ordinary Filipino family by making a senior high school graduate more competitive, GIC President Engr. Tan further explains, “GIC offers Academic and Tech Voc tracks. Under the Academic track we have three strands: Accountancy Business and Management (ABM), Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS).  Under the Tech Voc track, we have two strands: The first is Home Economics which includes pastry and bakery production; food and beverages; and tour guiding and tourism promotions. The second is Information and Communications Technology (ICT) where we have animation, computer programming and medical transcription. Slots per strand are limited”.

With my wife, Ruth, at the "Corporate" like lobby of the school...

At the Tech-Voc Program, students undergo rigorous training that will eventually earn them a TESDA Certificate that will allow them to apply for work immediately, not as students but as professionals who will be paid accordingly, avoiding any negotiations such as what happens with undergrad applicants. The parents of high school students may at least rest on the thought the their sons and daughters are "industry-ready" and are already employable upon graduating from Senior High.

GIC Executives with the group of bloggers...

A student may also choose to pursue college courses in the field of allied medicine, engineering, business, etc. Regardless of what path a student takes, the Senior High School will ultimately make him/her more ready to take on the reality of life and GIC as an institution will make sure that he or she will not just survive but eventually thrive and succeed.