Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

AKELCO’s Over Collection

In 2009, Akelco collected 100.94 percent as payment for electricity sold to its consumer – members. This means their collection was 0.94 percent more of the value of electricity distributed.

In 2010, Akelco also boost of its 105.35 percent collection efficiency which enabled to earn recognition and award. But the question is who paid the 5.35 percent over the 100 percent full payment for the year 2010 electricity sold to its consumer – members? Add the 0.94 percent over collection in 2009, over collection for the last two years 2009 – 2010) is 6.29 percent.

Akelco must repay the 6.29 percent over collection.

K+12

Mr. Oliver J. Relator is asking, is K+12 Key To Improvement Or Additional Burden? Mr. Relator related, the newest program injected into the educational curriculum by the Department of Education (DepEd) is the K+12. Effective this School Year 2011 – 2012, every child must pass through Kindergarten, six years in the elementary level, four years to complete junior high school and another two years for senior high school before qualifying for a college course.

This new program of the DepEd has caused diversified reactions from the public, particularly the parents and the students sector. Most parents and students strongly oppose the addition of another two years to high school education. The percentage of opposition coming from this sector is greater as opposed to those who favor the new curriculum, said Relator.

Is there a study conducted on the perception of the parents and students on K+12 to support the reactions above stated.

Relator adds, parents view this change as another added burden to the hardships and sacrifices they have to undergo just to send their children to school. It would mean another two years of paying tuition fees, school uniforms, allowances, books, and miscellaneous expenses. It would imply two years delay for students to graduate and seek jobs to earn a livelihood. What could have been an early graduation is stretched to two more years of study and would actually drain the pockets of the parents who have to slave to ensure that their children finish education to land a job.
On the other hand, the proponents of the new program believe that students need the additional two years of study so they can be better equipped and be mature enough when they graduate from their studies. It would mean that by the time they finish high school, they have ample knowledge of basic education, and mature enough to choose what profession to take. The additional two years will provide students more learning and experiences to help them in deciding for their future.

Now as the launching of the K+12 program has been finalized, the most prominent questions come to mind: Will it really improve the educational prowess of the students, making them more knowledgeable and successful or will it yield the same results like the past years and just add to the burden carried by parents whose shoulders are already slumped and staggering in trying to make both ends meet, let alone send their children to school, Relator asked.

The answers remain to be seen. All we can do is hope that the results will be for the better.

Mr. Oliver J. Relator is Teacher II in Banga Elementary School, Banga, Aklan. /MP