DepEd Rolls Out Strengthened SHS Curriculum in 800 Schools
The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to revamp the Senior High School program with a strengthened SHS curriculum starting School Year 2025–2026. This overhaul aims to fix long-standing issues from the program’s initial nationwide rollout nearly ten years ago. DepEd will pilot the new curriculum in 800 schools across the country to better prepare Filipino students for higher education and the workforce.
The strengthened SHS curriculum focuses on flexibility and relevance, responding to increasing demands for educational reform. “Hindi maganda ang naging implementation nitong nakaraang dekada,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara admitted. “Masyadong marami ang subjects at nakahon masyado ang mga bata [at] hindi sila nakakapili ng subjects.”
Why the Strengthened SHS Curriculum is Needed
Since the SHS program started under the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, it extended basic education to 13 years by adding Grades 11 and 12. Its goal was to prepare students for college, technical careers, entrepreneurship, or employment. However, over the years, challenges surfaced.
Students struggled with curriculum overload, sometimes tackling up to 31 subjects. Many found these subjects repetitive or unrelated to their career paths. Schools also faced resource shortages, especially in infrastructure and specialized teachers for technical-vocational tracks. Furthermore, industry linkages remained weak, limiting graduates’ economic opportunities. National assessments reflected little improvement in student skills.
A review by the Assessment, Curriculum, and Technology Research Centre recommended streamlining subjects, expanding electives, increasing work immersion hours, and offering greater flexibility across tracks.
Key Features of the Strengthened SHS Curriculum
The pilot introduces two main tracks: Academic and Technical-Professional (TechPro), replacing the former four-track system. Core subjects are pared down from 15 to five interdisciplinary courses: Effective Communication, General Mathematics, General Science, Life and Career Skills, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino.
Electives have been expanded and grouped into clusters, allowing students to customize their learning paths. A “doorway option” lets them take electives across different tracks for added flexibility.
Work immersion hours will increase substantially from 80–320 hours to 320–640 hours. This change aims to provide students with more hands-on experience to boost career readiness.
Assessments will be streamlined to align with classroom learning and national standards. A standardized exit exam is also proposed for Alternative Learning System learners.
National Support and Future of the SHS Program
These reforms echo the call of national leaders for an education system fostering critical thinking and future readiness. DepEd’s Senior High School National Task Force recommends stronger partnerships with technical education agencies and an enhanced work immersion program.
The pilot will begin this June in 800 selected schools. However, the continuation of the SHS program depends on lawmakers. “Ang desisyon kung ipagpapatuloy ang SHS o hindi ay Kongreso lamang po ang makakapagsabi at makakapagpasya,” Angara stressed.
For more news and updates on strengthened SHS curriculum, visit Filipinokami.com.