Netizens on Facebook (FB) are sharing a graphic that says a “Grade 13” level has been added to the basic education system. This claim is false and has been debunked since 2020.
An FB user uploaded the circulating graphic, which featured a photo of former Education secretary Leonor Briones juxtaposed with the text:
“Congrats grade 12 you are moving to grade 13”
The graphic was reuploaded as a Reel on Nov. 15, carrying the caption:
“Good luck sa mga grade-11 and grade-12 may grade-13 (Good luck to grade-11 and grade-12 [students] there is grade-13)!!!”
An old graphic created through a breaking news generator also resurfaced. (Read DepEd DID NOT add a new ‘Grade 13’ level for students)
These claims are false. There is no announcement from the Department of Education (DepEd) about adding a new level to the K to 12 Basic Education program. There are also no bills filed in Congress that aim to make this change.
Last August, DepEd launched the revised “Matatag” curriculum for kindergarten to Grade 10. The review for the senior high school curriculum is ongoing.
Several netizens, mostly students, reposted the content as Reels and TikTok videos with their reactions. Many fell for the wrong information, while others asked about its legitimacy.
The false posts made the rounds on social media as Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio — concurrently the Education secretary — went under fire for requesting P150 million in confidential funds for the department in 2024.
VERA Files Fact Check has been debunking disinformation related to the K to 12 program. (Read K to 12 is NOT abolished, 10th graders still need to complete SHS)
The graphic posted by the FB user garnered 6,400 reactions, 598 comments and 23,000 shares. The FB Reel uploaded by another netizen also received 4,600 reactions, 3,000 comments, 1,300 shares and 110,000 views.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
