Among the viewers, Mark and Lester seeing the heated battle they couldn’t help but hiss. "They are on a completely different level. It’s like they’re speaking another language," Lester said. You’re right. What’s crazier is that Jeff’s questionnaire is very hard and very long. Hell, if I were his opponent, my only reply would be: ’Can you repeat that question?’" Mark added as he watched the ongoing battle. "That may be true for recognition abroad, but most Filipino students don’t go overseas," she said, since Jeff had emphasized that point a lot. "Also what matters more is that those who stay here get quality education first. International alignment is important, but not at the cost of millions of families struggling today." She finished and eyed Jeff with a look of seriousness. He did not back down as the two locked gazes with each other. "Arianna, you say most Filipinos don’t go abroad, and that’s very much true. But I want to show you the data of my research" Jeff said as he used his mind to organize everything and finally it was done. "So according to here, about TESDA reports that nearly 75 out of every 100 certified TVET grads get employed. So even those who didn’t pass the certificate exam still land jobs at an even higher rate, about 85 out of 100." "On average over recent years, 8 out of 10 TVET grads are working after finishing their training. And get this" He did not take a breath or even stutter for a moment as he continued. "Almost everyone who takes the test 93 out of 100 gets certified successfully. So the idea that K to 12 plus TVET produces no benefit is clearly wrong. These numbers show many students are already getting good outcomes." "So for my last question, for the removal side: If even non-college SHS graduates are already finding work because of K to 12, is it really fair to remove the very system that finally gives ordinary students a chance at employment?" "My brain cells is not going to work anymore after that kind of long explanation and question," Mark whispered to Lester. "Not just you, even for me it feels the same. It is really surprising that Jeff has been hiding some of his skills all this time, is he truly this intelligent from the very beginning?" Lester replied with clear admiration. "I suppose so. I think he will eventually be awarded the With Highest Honor academic excellence award when this school year finally comes to an end," Mark said with a long sigh. "Yeah, that award is truly very difficult to reach. Well, it is still fine to have a lower score as long as you are not stepping on anyone or bringing others down in the process," Lester replied while nodding. "You are damn right, brother," Mark said with a hearty laugh as the two of them patiently waited for Arianna to give her answer. Only a few seconds had passed when Arianna closed her eyes in deep contemplation. She carefully organized her thoughts and constructed her reply in her mind, making sure everything was arranged clearly. After that short moment of silence, she finally opened her eyes, showing that she was now ready after finishing her answer. "Yes, some SHS graduates do find work. I will not deny that. But let’s be honest about something," "Most of those jobs are low-paying, temporary, or unrelated to their strand. The stats itself showed that 35% of SHS graduates were either unemployed or underemployed. And even those who are hired often end up in sales, fast food, or call centers, not the skilled careers they were promised." "And that is my point, K to 12 creates the appearance of opportunity, but not the quality of opportunity students deserve." She ended her speech with a sigh. This gave her quite a headache, since she had tried to force so many ideas into just a few seconds, yet at the same time she strangely loved the feeling of being pressured. "Hmmm, that is actually a good response," one of the classmates among the spectators voiced out with interest. "Yeah, I thought she was a goner, but Arianna really proved herself to be smart," another student added with agreement. Even teacher Annie nod her head in a praise even though her response is weaker compared to Jeff’s national level stats. Her shifting to focus on job quality which Jeff’s numbers don’t fully cover made her smile on how fast she can come up with this. Teacher Annie looked at both sides and this time she was not calm. From her expression the pride and the proud look of a teacher was so vivid. "Now that the given allotted time for the retention side has already ended," she declared, signaling the shift in the debate. "Removal side, you are now given two minutes to raise your questions. You may also ask follow-up questions depending on the responses you receive, and you are free to continue until your time completely runs out," she announced. "So Jeff, you presented data showing that many SHS graduates find jobs after K to 12. But I just want to ask," Arianna spoke with a firm tone. She was calm while offering a challenging smile as she proceeded with her question. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩 "If the system is really working so well, then why do 35% of graduates still end up unemployed or in jobs unrelated to their strand, as JobStreet reported? Doesn’t that prove that K to 12 is creating more quantity of workers but not the quality of opportunities it promised?" "To answer that we must knew that JobStreet figure came from a limited survey of online applicants. It’s useful, yes, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of all graduates nationwide." Jeff replied. "Compare that to DepEd’s tracer study, which shows that more than 8 out of 10 senior high school graduates find employment within a year. TESDA also reports that a large majority of their trainees, especially those who pass certification, get hired. In other words, while some struggle, the bigger picture shows success, not failure." "So, I want to emphasize that even if there are some struggles it shows success but not failure," "And about quality, no system fixes job mismatch overnight. Even college graduates face the same problem, according to DOLE." he said while closing his eyes and only using his mouth like reverend scholar. "So is it fair to call K to 12 a failure, when in reality, it’s giving skills and opportunities to millions who never had them under the old 10-year cycle? The real challenge isn’t to destroy it, but to strengthen the bridges it already built." he responded so casually. But Arianna did not let that slide or give him a breather as she ask another question. "I see so let me ask again, you say K to 12 gives opportunities. But another data according to DepEd’s own records, dropout rates in senior high are higher than in junior high, mostly because of cost and workload. If this system is really designed to keep more students in school, then why are more of them leaving before even finishing? Doesn’t that show the system is failing the very students it claims to help?" She said while opening her palm waiting for his answer about his question, contrary to her expectations she had though that it will at least take him time to gather his thoughts to make a good point but he proved her wrong. Just a second she finished constructing the question, the answer was already given. Not only the flow of answer was good even the tone was amazing since their are no stutter. "Well that’s a valid concern and yes, senior high has seen higher dropout rates compared to junior high, and cost is part of that. But here’s the important point, dropouts don’t prove the system is wrong but they prove that the system needs stronger support." "As I emphasized during my speech earlier the answer is to improve and not to remove." "In fact, DepEd data shows that the main reasons for SHS dropouts are financial difficulty and family obligations, not the curriculum itself. That means the solution is scholarships, subsidies, and stronger community support not going back to the old 10-year system that never solved those issues either." "And despite these challenges, let’s not forget: the majority of SHS students still finish and graduate, and many of them go on to either college or work opportunities that weren’t recognized before." "So if we remove K to 12, we erase those gains entirely. So yes, dropouts are a problem but the real failure would be abandoning the students who are succeeding." Arianna hearing the reply and the response was very good made her stomach turned, she doesn’t really care about losing and winning. But it doesn’t mean she likes to lose, so she closed her eyes for a moment focused herself and tried to absorb and construct a question from the given answer, after a few seconds she had come up with another one. 1st: Special thanks to ’Essos👑’ – the GOAT of the month, for both the rewarding gifts and golden tickets tickets! Much love, brotha! 2nd: Big thanks to ’Pat_funding👑’ for the unwavering support since the very start of my journey and for the golden tickets and gifts! 3rd: Special shoutout to ’Devon1234👑’ – The same GOAT of this month, for all the amazing gifts! You’re absolutely RAD!