Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a concerted effort to enhance the employability and readiness of Senior High School (SHS) graduates, the Department of Education (DepEd) has initiated a series of strategic consultations and curriculum reforms. These initiatives aim to align educational outcomes with industry demands, ensuring that Filipino learners are well-prepared for the evolving job market.
Streamlining the SHS Curriculum
One of the pivotal steps undertaken by DepEd is the simplification of the SHS curriculum. Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the necessity of reducing the number of core subjects from the existing 15 to just five or six. This reduction is intended to provide students with more time for on-the-job training and work immersion, thereby enhancing their practical skills and making them more attractive to potential employers.
Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of flexibility within the educational system, stating, "If we reduce the subjects of our SHS curriculum, the students will have more time for the on-the-job training or work immersion needed by the industry so that our senior high school graduates will become more employable even if they lack work experience."
Ongoing Stakeholder Engagement
To ensure that the curriculum reforms are comprehensive and effective, DepEd has been actively engaging with various stakeholders. In January 2025, a series of consultations were conducted involving 31 private schools and technical vocational institutions, 14 companies and organizations from different regions, seven government agencies, and representatives from various DepEd Central Office departments. These dialogues were instrumental in gathering feedback and recommendations for refining the SHS curriculum.
Secretary Angara underscored the significance of these collaborations, stating, "Just as I promised our DepEd conversations with TESDA, with industry, with private institutions will be a continuing process. I think it will never stop because in the implementation, industries will continue to evolve, to change. So we need to evolve along with them."
Key Principles Guiding Curriculum Revision
The revision of the SHS Program is anchored on several key principles:
Decongesting and Simplifying the Curriculum: By reducing the number of subjects, students can focus more on areas that directly contribute to their chosen career paths.
Emphasizing Learner Choice: Providing students with options allows them to tailor their education to their interests and strengths, fostering a more engaged and motivated learning experience.
Ensuring "Stackability and Seamlessness": This approach facilitates smooth progression from one educational level to the next, ensuring that skills and knowledge acquired are cumulative and build upon previous learning.
Strengthening Industry Linkages: By forging stronger connections with industry partners, the curriculum can be aligned with current and future labor market needs, enhancing the relevance of the education provided.
Future Directions
DepEd's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its plans to conduct local consultations led by Regional Curriculum and Learning Management Division Chiefs from January 24 to February 24, 2025. These efforts aim to further refine the SHS curriculum, ensuring it remains responsive to the dynamic needs of industries and the aspirations of Filipino learners.
In conclusion, DepEd's proactive measures in streamlining the SHS curriculum and engaging with stakeholders reflect a dedicated pursuit of an education system that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the modern workforce. Through these reforms, the department aims to produce graduates who are not only employable but also capable of contributing meaningfully to the nation's development.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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