systems, slow internal administrative processes, inadequate monitoring mechanisms, unclear interoffice administrative procedures, and poor coordination and absence of feedback mechanisms.55 Given such issues, he recommends institutionalizing review policies, strengthening deconcentration processes, improving the capacities of PMU, preparing a sustainability and follow-through plan, and focusing on the broader goal of improving the country’s competitiveness in higher education among the community of nations.56 24. Since the K to 12 Program was signed into law, at least five petitions have been filed by students, teachers, and parents, claiming that the program will, among other issues, aggravate the financial situation of Filipino families and force millions to drop out of school.57 This has been stressed by the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) in their petition, arguing that the “K to 12 Program is no ordinary government program.5458 It is set to redefine access to education, especially for the poor who must spend for additional years of education. It unduly burdens the exercise of the human right to education.”55 To illustrate, the financial demands of completing the K to 12 Program, a study by the Kabataan Party-List (KPL) shows that students entering senior high school will need as much as PHP200,000 for the two additional years in school, and families will need to produce around Php20,000 to Php30,000 annually for the food and transportation allowance of students of Php100 to Php150 for 200 school days.56 Further, KPL estimates an additional P10,000 for the cost of school supplies and other miscellaneous expenses such as uniforms and workbooks based on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) data and case studies from Araullo High School.57 Besides the financial burden on students and their families, the K to 12 Program also places added pressure on teachers and educators who must undergo extensive training to offer the courses needed to be taught to senior high school students and, at the same time, manage large classes as often seen in the public school system.58 25. Moreover, in a study conducted by Orbeta and Potestad (2020) based on the Labor Force Survey (LFS) from July 2018 to April 2020, only approximately 20% of the total estimated SHS graduates enter the labor force, and around 70% pursue further studies.59 In an interview, former DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones admits that the agency is unsure where “K to 12 graduates go” as the organization has yet to “conduct a tracer study on the graduates of the program.”60 Given these, there have been calls for continued close monitoring of the employability of SHS graduates with the current dearth of data and empirical evidence.61 54 Id. Id. 56 Id. 57 Id. 58 Id. 59 Orbeta & Potestad, supra note 51. 60 Pathricia Ann V. Roxas, Where do K-12 graduates go? Briones unsure, says research still pending, INQUIRER.NET, Sept. 3, 2019, available at https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1160384/where-do-k-12-graduates-go-briones-unsure-says- (last accessed June 21, 2022). 61 Id. 55 19