New Law Abolishes Mandatory Spiral Progression in PH K-12 Curriculum

A new law mandating the removal of 'spiral progression' in the Philippines' K-12 education curriculum has become law without presidential signature. Republic Act No. 12332 lapsed into law on Aug. 2, granting the Department of Education (DepEd) greater flexibility in determining the most effective method and practice of teaching for the basic education curriculum. Spiral progression is an educational approach where learners revisit previously learned concepts at more advanced levels. However, this approach has faced criticism from some educators and parents, particularly at the primary level, for allegedly not allowing for sufficient depth in learning. The new law empowers DepEd to adopt more adaptive and effective approaches in implementing and revising the curriculum. This is seen as a significant step for the Philippine education system to quickly adapt to evolving educational needs and international standards. This legislative change strengthens DepEd's authority in curriculum design and implementation, enabling the department to review and modify existing teaching methods as needed to foster more effective learning outcomes. This is expected to enhance the quality of education and better address the learning needs of individual students.