DepEd backs resumption of work immersion for SHS students

The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed support for the reintroduction of physical work immersion amid the ongoing progressive expansion of face-to-face classes.

The conduct of onsite work immersion for senior high school (SHS) students, which is a required subject for the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track, was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DepEd said the move to allow the resumption of physical work immersion seeks to strengthen active school participation and planning for various service delivery conditions.

“We are strongly suggesting that work immersion should be implemented for the senior high school learners as they are nearest to accomplishing their postsecondary goals and dreams,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement.

During the regional EduAksyon Press Conference hosted by DepEd MIMAROPA, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio also stressed that the agency has created guidelines on work immersion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Puwede naman po kasi gawin ang immersion kahit hindi pa pinapayagan ang limited face-to-face classes noon, pero ngayong may face-to-face classes na, siyempre ibabalik natin face-to-face immersion," San Antonio explained.

(It is possible to do immersion even if limited face-to-face classes were not allowed then, but now that there are face-to-face classes, of course we will return to face-to-face immersion.)

“Maaring magkaroon ng pagkakataon sa aktwal na karanasan sa industriya ang mga mag-aaral sa senior high school hinggil sa kanilang specializations na napili,” he added.

(Senior high school students can have the opportunity to experience the industry on their chosen specializations.)

San Antonio added that onsite work immersion should be in line with the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force Against COVID-19 (IATF).

In the recently approved Revised Operational Guidelines on the Progressive Expansion of Face-to-Face Learning Modality (DepEd-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2022), DepEd prescribes schools to fully comply with the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) which has been revised to allow more schools to eventually reopen.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for National Academy of Sports and Field Operations Malcolm Garma shared that schools undergoing assessments should prioritize the inclusion of SHS students in the expansion of in-person classes.

“Naniniwala tayo na ang Grades 11 and 12 ay kailangang bumalik sa kanilang klase, so ‘yong immersion natin ay kasama sa babalik sa ating face-to-face classes,” Garma emphasized.

(We believe that Grades 11 and 12 need to return to the classrooms, so our immersion is included in the return of face-to-face classes.)

“Kung magkakaroon na sila ng immersion sa anomang industriya, isasailalim sila doon sa mga patakaran na pinaiiral ng IATF,” he added.

(If they are going to have immersion in any industry, they will be subjected  to the rules enforced by the IATF.)—LDF, GMA News