1. Key reforms in basic education have been put in place in the areas of national learning strategies, school based management, teacher education and development, resource mobilization and management, and quality management system, among others as a demonstration of the DepEd’s commitment to provide the learners the best education that they deserve.
2. At the secondary level, a critical reform is in the area of curriculum and instruction as an urgent response to declining school performance. After a four-year try out in a number of schools nationwide, the 2010 Secondary Education Curriculum (SEC) which focuses on teaching and learning for understanding and doing this by design, is ready for roll-out in the First Year and shall be progressively mainstreamed following this schedule:

SY 2010-2011 – First Year level
SY 2011-2012 – Second Year level
SY 2012-2013 – Third Year level
SY 2012-2014 – Fourth Year level

This implies that for SY 2010-2011, students in the Second-Fourth Year levels shall continue to undertake the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) until they complete it. The 2010 SEC shall cover initially the incoming First Year students only.

3. It is encouraging that there are private secondary schools that have long adopted the design of the curriculum. These schools are expected to continue the implementation of the program, and share their best practices and insights to guide other schools. On the other hand, a two-year transition period covering SY 2010-2012 is being provided to schools that need to build and develop further their capacity as well as their confidence to implement the curriculum. These schools are given the leeway to conduct their own tryout of the curriculum as they transition to the full implementation of the program.
4. The features of the curriculum, the enabling policies, and the implementing guidelines are provided in the enclosure.
5. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.