Lucky Spin: Godly Programming

When the interpellation started, the two of them began, since it was first come, first served. Jian took a step and asked the question.

"Tala, you said that K to 12 only delays us and most still end up in low-paying jobs. But isn't it true that without those extra two years, students would be even less prepared and risk ending up in worse situations either dropping out earlier or entering jobs without proper skills?"

When the timer started and Jian had delievered his questions, Tala answered it just like she had practiced.

"Yes that's true, based on the research I've read, many K to 12 graduates still face job mismatch. In fact, around 35% of graduates end up in jobs unrelated to their strand, like call centers or sales, despite finishing the program. This shows that even with the extra two years, many students remain unemployed or underemployed."

She emphasized her main point while shrugging her shoulders. Teacher Annie hearing her reply nod her head in appreciation.

"So being smart and capable doesn't always guarantee better opportunities if the system itself fails to deliver,"

She finished while shaking her head, but before she can take a breathe Jian voice came fast.

"Is that so? I greatly understand your point, Tala, but let me clarify with actual government data. According to DepEd and TESDA reports, over 70% of K to 12 graduates who pursued the tech-voc track found employment within a year, compared to less than 40% of high school graduates before K to 12. Doesn't this prove that while not perfect, K to 12 has clearly improved employability, especially for those who don't go to college?"

Jian said while raising a brow, this made Tala a little bit unprepared as she processes what he had said.

"Uhh… can you repeat the question?"

"What I asked was, doesn't this prove that while not perfect, K to 12 has clearly improved employability, especially for those who don't go to college?"

"I want to know whether its a yes or no?"

Tala knowing that she was going to be trapped if she said yes and even no, she decided to go with another option.

She instinctively her lip with a look of griveance, Jeff who was watching this scene his heart could not help but flutter.

Its his first crush and even though he had no feelings anymore, he still found her very pretty and cute especially right now.

Even though her beauty is nothing compared to Jessica and Arianna, she had some quirks that made him attracted to her.

"Uh… well… even if that's true, I've read somewhere that around 35% of graduates are still jobless or in mismatched jobs. So still! the points is that it still shows that K to 12 isn't working properly."

"Since if it is why are many still… ummm, struggling even after finishing senior high. So personally for me, I believe it doesn't really fix the problem" she bit back.

"I see, before I ask the last question I wondered what source is that Ms. Tala, you mentioned that '35% of graduates are still jobless' but can you tell us the exact source of that statistic? Was it from a government report, a school study, or just an article you came across? Because if the data isn't reliable, how can we accept it as proof?"

Jian open his arms waiting for her to show her the credibility, unexpectedly Tala laughed as she responded from that easy question.

"It is very realiable if you want to know, according to a 2019 survey from JobStreet Philippines, many senior high graduates were not hired in line with their specialization, and about 35% were either unemployed or working in unrelated fields. So isn't this concerning?"

"I see your point their, Tala. But JobStreet only surveyed a limited group of applicants online, which doesn't represent the entire population of K to 12 graduates. Am I right?" Jian said with a smile while looking at him.

This made Tala's face very ugly as Jian continued to add more fuel to the fire.

"Based on your expression, I guess I am right? Since on the other hand, DepEd and TESDA data track millions of students nationwide, not just job seekers on one website. So, do you think your source which covers a small sample, is more reliable than official government statistics that represent the whole country"

Jian fired another bullet again as Tala responded with her own answer.

"Well… maybe the sample is smaller, but it still reflects reality because even if it's not nationwide, it shows what many graduates are experiencing. Statistics don't always have to be big to be true, as long as they reveal a problem. So, whether it's JobStreet or the government, both still show that there are graduates struggling, and that's what matters."

Jian was about to say something when the timer finally runs out, thus stopping their quarrel or rather the interpellation.

"Well everyone that concludes the interpellation for the first speaker, moving on the second speaker you can now raise some quest"

"Jian, you emphasizes that K to 12 gives students more opportunities for jobs and skills. But how can you say it truly benefits everyone, when many families cannot even afford the added two years with extra expenses for transportation, projects, and uniforms?"

"So doesn't this highlights that the system is unfair to poor students who are forced to drop out because of the cost?"

Jian just smiled since he had procticed this a lot before as he offered his answer, hearing the answer Tala focused herself to make the question harder and harder.

"So another question is that you have stated, K to 12 makes students job-ready, but many graduates still end up taking jobs unrelated to their strand. If the program really works, why are so many experiencing job mismatch?"

"Well that's life, job mismatch exist, but it isn't unique to K to 12 it happens even in college graduates worldwide. What K to 12 does is give students more options: whether to continue to higher education, apply for jobs, or start a livelihood using their acquired skills. Even if a graduate doesn't land in the exact field of their strand, they still leave senior high better prepared than before, with certifications and practical training they wouldn't have had under the old system."

Tala watching her question was answered so easily made her feel bad inside.

"But if many still end up in mismatched or low-paying jobs, doesn't that prove K to 12 has failed its purpose of truly preparing us for work?"

"Not at all, Tala. The purpose of K to 12 is not to guarantee everyone the perfect job no education system can promise that. Its purpose is to give students a stronger foundation of skills, knowledge, and employability. Whether a graduate ends up in a job directly connected to their strand depends on industry demand and personal choice, not just the program itself. What matters is that K to 12 expands opportunities, rather than limits them like the old 10-year system did."

When Tala was about to ask more questions sadly for her, the time limit was reached stopping her from going.

From their match just now, clearly the point goes to Jian earning the boys team another points since it was very obvious.