Assessing the Impact of K-12 Implementation on Grade 5 Enrollment Trends in the Philippines

This study evaluates the impact of the Philippines' K-12 educational reform on Grade 5 enrollment trends, using comprehensive enrollment and teacher employment data from official public-school records available via Kaggle. The analysis covered multiple regions comparing periods before and after the reform's implementation in 2013. Statistical analyses, including independent samples t-tests, revealed significant differences (p=0.015), indicating substantial enrollment growth post-K12 implementation, notably in regions such as Davao (Region XI), Soccsksargen (Region XII), Northern Mindanao (Region X), CALABARZON (Region IV-A), and Western Visayas (Region VI). Further analysis using Pearson’s correlation showed a strong positive correlation (r=0.71) between increased teacher employment and enrollment growth, underscoring the essential role teacher availability plays in sustaining educational reforms. However, regional disparities were also identified, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to overcome localized infrastructure and socioeconomic challenges. The study provides evidence-based recommendations advocating for increased investments in teacher recruitment and training, regional infrastructure development, and ongoing evaluation of long-term educational outcomes. Ultimately, these findings offer valuable insights into the educational impacts of the K-12 reform, supporting future policy improvements aimed at enhancing education accessibility and quality in diverse Philippine regional contexts.