(April 11, 2025) – Kabataan Party-list on Friday slammed the proposed changes to the K-12 senior high school (SHS) curriculum, saying they appear to serve the needs of businesses rather than students.
The Department of Education (DepEd) announced plans to overhaul the current system, including removing the rigid strand-based structure that has been in place since 2016. The goal, according to the DepEd, is to make students more job-ready.
“Abalang abala tayo na gawing job-ready ang mga estudyante, pero naisip ba natin kung ready ang schools? Kulang ang classrooms, kulang ang teachers, gutom ang mga bata. Gawin muna nating ready mag-aral ang kabataan. Walang curriculum na epektibo kung ‘di sapat ang pondo sa edukasyon,” said Renee Co, the first nominee of Kabataan Party-list, in a statement.
On April 4, the DepEd released a 24-page consultation packet on the proposed revisions to the SHS curriculum, including cutting down the number of core subjects from 15 per semester to just five per year to make learning “more effective and responsive.”
Co, however, claimed that the planned reforms are being framed around what companies want rather than what students need.
“If we should pursue reforms, it must address the need of students for quality and accessible education rather than the need of companies for employable graduates. K-12 and its proposed reforms are clearly oriented for business interests, not students,” added Co.
She also urged the government to invest in local industries rather than relying on foreign firms to provide employment.
The updated curriculum is set to be implemented gradually starting the school year 2025–2026.
The K-12 program was introduced in 2013 under the administration of the late former president Noynoy Aquino III to enhance students’ chances of finding work even after graduating from high school.
However, a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in 2020 found that only one in five SHS graduates entered the labor force, while most went on to college.
The same study also revealed that only 20% of employers were willing to hire SHS graduates.
(PM)
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