Private academic institutions and organizations, including Far Eastern University (FEU), called for a strengthened K–12 program instead of its removal, in a joint statement released by Philippine Business for Education last July 8.

Senate Bill No. 3001, filed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada seeking to remove Senior High School (SHS) from the basic education curriculum, prompted 43 institutions to release the statement titled “Support for K to 12: A Call for Unified Action to Strengthen Its Implementation for Every Learner.”

The implementation of the SHS curriculum through the Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 was designed with the goal of bridging academics and work; seeking to equip students with skills that can be used within and outside their academic endeavors. 

Estrada stated that despite the enactment of the law 12 years ago, the program’s goal to develop student’s skills for their learning and employment journey is yet to be achieved. 

Additionally, the senator emphasized that parents and learners should not go through another two years of learning if the program has shown no promising results. 

However, the private organizations stressed that the removal would be a step backwards towards their effort in improving the Filipino workforce. 

“This is critical in an economy that continues to evolve and where demand for skilled workers is growing,” they stated. 

Moreover, the institutions acknowledged the gaps within the curriculum and urged the government to address them through reforms rather than abolishment. 

“However, the program’s impact is only as strong as its execution. The private sector continues to observe persistent learning gaps, inadequate immersion opportunities, and misalignments between SHS offerings and industry needs. These challenges must be addressed urgently,” the signatories highlighted.

The group also recognized President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s statement on improving the SHS program, echoing the president's sentiments of urging the Department of Education (DepEd) for a reform. 

The institutions concluded the statement by emphasizing the collective responsibility necessary for the success of the K–12 program. 

“We must collectively commit to making K to 12 work: by closing learning gaps, aligning skills training with industry standards, and supporting every learner's pathway to gainful employment and lifelong productivity,” they remarked. 

Last June 14, the DepEd released a memorandum stating that they will test the Strengthened SHS Curriculum for A.Y. 2025–2026 in selected Grade 11 schools.

From a four-track structure, the Strengthened SHS Curriculum transitioned to two which are the Academic and Technical-Professional Tracks.

In addition, students can now freely select their desired electives as the DepEd replaced the strands and implemented clusters. In the previous curriculum, learners were limited to the electives set for their respective strands. 

The department also offers career guidance that shall be in service for Grade 11 students throughout the school year to guide them on their career pathways. They stated that the career guidance is only there to help learners explore and not impose any career pathways.

- Ishia Eleanor F. Marquez

(Photo Courtesy of Philippine Business for Education Facebook page)