THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN THE PHILLIPINES:

THE WAY TO THE WORLD

An Analysis

I. INTRODUCTION

In June , 2016 the Department of Education launched the senior high school
(SHS) nationwide through the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (the Act), which
included a new level of basic education consisting of the kindergarten and the grades
11 and 12.
Senior high school (SHS) refers to Grades 11 and 12, the last two years of the
K-12 program that DepEd has been implementing since. Students begin to study in
SHS subjects that will introduce them to their preferred career path.
K-12, a term used in education and educational technology in the United States,
Canada, and possibly other countries, is a short form for the publicly-supported school
grades prior to college. These grades are kindergarten (K) and the 1st through the 12th
grade
Skill competency in the global job market – K-12 system aims to improve
Filipino students' mathematical, scientific, and linguistic competence. With the new
curriculum, DepEd promised to offer higher quality education through tracks. Each
track will give students enough time to master a field and enhance their skills.

II. CAUSE AND EFFECT

Since 2012, in its implementation in pilot schools and after it was fully
implemented, the Department of Education’s K to 12 program has already produced
several batches of senior high schools. Despite that, many students and parents are still
not sure how this educational program works in the country.
 Many consider this as a burden, especially for families whose income is
insufficient to finance extra years added for their children to study. But because of its
implementation, there is nothing but the parents can do is to have their children enrol
in this program in a school where their children can enrol.
To consider the cause of this program, is the continuing decline of the quality
and preparedness of students in going to college. With the continuing progress and
development of schools’ curriculum adapting and bridging their own programs with
the kind of educational system other countries have, the government sees the need for
this program to be adapted and implemented.
Another reason perhaps, is the growing demand of skilled workers – in our
country and abroad. For this reason, the government find it necessary to equip our
school children with necessary skills and knowledge so that, upon finishing the senior
high school, they can be at par with those skilled in different working areas and
conditions.
Aside from the fact that after finishing senior high school, graduates in this level
– especially those who finish with vocational courses and passed National Certification
in their fields can compete for positions that require their mastery and skill. In this
case, if a student is thinking in skipping college and joining instead the workforce, the
senior high school program adequate the knowledge of the student. Senior high school
offers also a faster way to earn Certificate of Competencies (COCs) and National
Certificates (NC) from TESDA that a student can use to apply for both local and
overseas jobs that require particular skills.

III. CHALLENGE ENCOUNTERED

There really lies a lot of challenges encountered in the implementation of the
senior high school program of the Department of Education. The senior high school
program offers career tracks and learning strands. The career tracks refer to general
categories that the different fields of study belong to while the learning strands refer to
the different areas of expertise under the program. Currently, there are four career
tracks offered in different schools (Academic, Arts and Designs, Sports and TVL/TLE)
 and 8 learning strands (ABM, STEM, HUMMS, GAS, HOME ECONOMICS, ICT,
AGRI-FISHEREY, ARTS AND INDUSTRIAL ARTS).
But one of the challenges encountered in the implementation of this program is
the fact that not all schools are allowed to offer senior high school in the Philippines.
Enrolling at a senior high school not allowed or is not given a permit to offer the
program by the department will declare any certificate invalid.
Another concern encountered in the fact that like in college, while free tuition
is offered in public schools, tuition is a little higher in private institutions. Nonetheless,
a voucher can be used to enrol in both public and private senior high schools.
It is worth noting, however, that while the senior high school students can use
the voucher to enrol, it is not yet enough to cover all the expenses they have to spend
for the two-year additional grade level.
Other than these issues, there is also this over-congested curriculum that
requires more contact hours to students compared to college students. More so, there
is also a problem regarding the number of competent teachers that are needed for the
different fields of specialization, and the number of classrooms that can accommodate
more students going through this program.

IV. PROPOSED SOLTUION

Promoting in-depth learning appeared to be an uphill task for the teachers. The
main hurdle lies in students’ inability to demonstrate a good understanding of very
basic concepts of the subject. Despite faced with such a challenge, the teachers appear
to be committed to teaching their subject. The implications of the results of the study
are explained in the context of schools, teachers, and other educational stakeholders by
emphasizing the need for synchronization and integration of efforts on the part of
schools.
In this manner, it is always to look for solutions to the many challenges faced
in the senior high school program. Interventions shall be necessary and different
programs and other measures shall be undertaken by the government and other
implementers of the program.
 For now, it is required also that schools have to recognize the vital importance
of long-term planning, preparation, and well-structured and well-thought strategies
instead of depending on incidental measures to deal with the difficulties arising from
teachers’ inability to promote in-depth student learning in such important curriculum
subjects.

V. OUTCOMES
Since the implementation of the senior high school in the country, the outcomes
of the exceeded expectations. DepEd had manifested that the implementation of this
program in the educational system has gone far that it can claim there is a great success
in its implementation.

Despite calls to suspend the program, the government remained firm saying this
new educational system offers opportunities for Filipino students and the national
economy.

For its part, the Department of Education (DepEd) stresses that the country is
prepared for a big shift in education system. In fact, it has worked to fulfil the gaps on
the number of classrooms, teachers, and textbooks. Also, it has finished the planning
phases along with stakeholders.

VI. REFLECTIONS
In the implementation of this educational program of the Department of

Education, the K-12 curriculum drew negative reactions from different groups and

organizations in the country. The students – who are mostly affected by this change

were adamant in giving away their comments and opinions. The implementation of K-

12 curriculum in the country drew negative reactions from various societal groups.

Since 2011, critics have been very vocal on their primary concerns. They insist the

government isn’t yet ready for this new system and that this is more of additional

burden to students and their parents.

 As a matter of fact, the government remained firm and decisive in its plan to

continue and implement the program despite the many calls to suspend the program, if

not stop fully its implementation believing that this educational program will do good

for the interest of the students and their parents, as well as the economic condition of

the country.

For its part, the Department of Education (DepEd) stresses that the country is

prepared for a big shift in education system. In fact, the government has opened a lot

of teacher-items for the senior high school, constructed a lot of school buildings and

classrooms that can accommodate the senior high students it has worked to fulfil the

gaps on the number of classrooms, teachers, and textbooks. But what does K-12 pattern

has to offer to the students today?

Well, the government believes that K to 12 curriculum in the Philippines will

put Filipino students at par with the rest of the world. Truly, investing in education is

the key toward reaching national growth and development.