Angara eyes changes in the SHS pilot implementation

Education Secretary Sonny Angara admitted on Friday that the implementation of the mandatory Senior High School (SHS) level under the K-12 program was “not good,” and that he is eyeing making changes and improvements there.| PHOTO: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara admitted on Friday that the implementation of the mandatory Senior High School (SHS) level under the K-12 program was “not good,” and he is eyeing changes and improvements to the system.

“Masyadong marami ang subjects at nakahon masyado ang mga bata. Hindi sila nakakapili ng subject/s. So this June, babaguhin na natin in 800 schools na kung saan may pilot implementation ang bagong SHS curriculum,” he said.

(There are too many subjects, and the children are too boxed in. They are not able to choose the subject/s. So this June, we will make changes in the 800 schools where there is a pilot implementation of the new SHS curriculum.)

“Having said that, ang desisyon kung ipagpapatuloy ang SHS  o hindi ay Kongreso lamang po ang makakapagsabi at makakapag-pasya,” he added.

(Having said that, the decision on whether to continue SHS or not is only up to Congress to decide.)

Angara’s remarks came after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada filed a measure seeking to scrap the mandatory SHS level in the Philippine education system.

READ: Jinggoy Estrada wants to scrap SHS from PH education system

In his proposed Senate Bill No. 3001, Estrada said a “rationalized basic education program” would better benefit learners.

He particularly proposed a one-year kindergarten education, followed by six years of elementary education and four years of secondary education.

According to Estrada, the mandatory SHS level under the K to 12 program has been met with criticisms and objections from various groups since it was put in place.

“It has been 12 years now since the enactment of the law, yet it still has not fully achieved its goal,”  he said.

“We can’t keep letting students and their parents shoulder the extra time and cost of senior high school. Bakit natin hahayaan na patuloy na maging dagdag pasanin sa oras at gastusin ang dalawang taon sa high school level?” he added.

(Why should we allow the two years of high school to continue to be an extra burden on our time and expenses?)

He then pointed out that the SHS program was designed to bring the Philippine education system closer to international standards by serving as a bridge between high school and college.

READ: New SHS curriculum not enough for students to be college-ready – DepEd

“The goal was to produce graduates who are well-rounded, equipped with 21st-century skills, and ready for whatever path they choose – whether pursuing a] college degree, learning technical skills, getting a job, or starting a business,” he emphasized.

Earlier, the Department of Education itself admitted that the five core subjects set to be implemented through the strengthened SHS program are not sufficient alone to prepare students for college.