DepEd: K to 12 Program Will Continue Through School Year 2026-2027

In a direct refutation of widely circulating social media claims, the Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed that the K to 12 education program will remain in place for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, contradicting viral posts suggesting its abolishment.

A Facebook page called “Viral Trend,” which has amassed over 62,000 followers, published a misleading post on January 13 claiming that DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education had officially announced the elimination of the K to 12 program. The post, which deceptively incorporated DepEd’s logo and was labeled as a “DepEd Announcement,” has garnered significant engagement with more than 400 reactions, 22 comments, and 1,900 shares.

The false announcement claimed the decision came after “a long period of evaluation and consultation,” prompting hopeful responses from many commenters who appeared to believe the fabricated news.

In response to this and similar misinformation, DepEd issued an advisory last November explicitly debunking claims about the program’s supposed termination. The education department urged the public to exercise caution when consuming information online, recommending that citizens avoid following pages spreading false content and instead report them.

The K to 12 program, which extended basic education by two years, is not a discretionary policy but rather a legal requirement established under Republic Act No. 10533, formally known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.” Any changes or removal of the program would require legislative action to amend or repeal the existing law.

While the program remains in effect, DepEd has announced modifications to the curriculum. In January 2025, responding to calls for review of the senior high school curriculum, the department unveiled plans for a “decongested” version of the K to 12 program. This revised approach will reduce the number of core subjects for Grades 11 and 12 to “5 to 7 important subjects,” streamlining the educational requirements while maintaining the program’s overall structure.

This isn’t the first instance of misinformation regarding the K to 12 program circulating on social media. Various accounts and pages claiming to provide official government announcements have repeatedly spread similar falsehoods throughout the past year, creating confusion among students, parents, and educators.

Educational policy experts note that while the K to 12 program has faced criticism since its implementation, significant systemic changes to national education frameworks typically involve extensive stakeholder consultation, legislative processes, and phased implementation plans—none of which have been initiated regarding the program’s abolishment.

For those seeking accurate information about the Philippine education system, DepEd maintains official communication channels through its website and verified social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. These platforms provide authoritative updates on educational policies, curriculum changes, and official announcements affecting students and schools nationwide.

The persistence of such misinformation highlights the ongoing challenge of combating education-related fake news in the Philippines, where social media platforms remain primary information sources for many citizens despite often lacking verification mechanisms for content accuracy.