Summary
Highlights
The Department of Education (DepEd) is implementing a new 'Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum' for public and private schools nationwide, starting in the school year 2026-2027. This initiative comes 10 years after the initial implementation of the senior high school program in 2016, with the aim to address criticisms and improve the system.
One of the major changes is the reduction of required core subjects from 15 to 5: Effective Communication, Life and Career Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Philippine History and Society. These five core subjects will all be taught in Grade 11. DepEd clarified that subjects deemed redundant or better suited for college were removed after extensive consultation.
The current academic strands (HUMSS, ABM, STEM, GAS) will be eliminated. Students will instead choose between two broader tracks: Academic and Technical Professional (Tech-Pro). These tracks will offer various electives, allowing students to choose options even if they are not traditionally part of their chosen track, providing more flexibility. Schools are not required to offer all tracks and electives, adapting to their learners' needs and local industries.
Work immersion hours for Grade 12 students will be significantly increased from 80-320 hours to 320-640 hours. This extension aims to provide learners, especially those in the Tech-Pro track, with more extensive, hands-on experience in the workplace, better preparing them for immediate employment. DepEd is actively connecting with industry partners and encouraging schools to map available partners in their localities to facilitate this.
DepEd acknowledges the challenge of ensuring teachers' expertise aligns with the subjects they teach. Training for senior high school teachers will begin in May. To support teachers, DepEd is developing comprehensive teaching guides to ensure proper lesson delivery. While training is crucial, these guides will provide a fundamental framework, allowing teachers with greater capabilities to go beyond the basic components.
Prior to nationwide implementation, 891 schools piloted the new curriculum. Teachers reported reduced daily stress and subject preparations, while learners appreciated the lighter load and year-long provision for core courses, leading to deeper engagement and improved wellness. However, challenges were identified, such as constraints on electives due to teacher expertise and facility availability, and the need for more materials, textbooks, and training. DepEd is committed to addressing these issues with its substantial Php1.35 trillion budget, the largest ever for the education sector.
DepEd seeks the cooperation of teachers, parents, and students to ensure the successful implementation of the new curriculum and promote quality education in the Philippines. They request stakeholders to give the changes a chance and provide feedback for continuous improvement.