House eyes SHS curriculum overhaul: Cut core subjects to five?

The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture on Tuesday advanced proposals to overhaul the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum, pushing for a reduced set of core subjects, expanded electives, and stronger technical-vocational credentials, as lawmakers cited persistent learning gaps and the failure of the current system to deliver on the promise of K to 12.

Committee chairman Roman Romulo said the existing SHS curriculum is overly congested and has limited students’ options in higher education and employment.

“But as contained in the third reading, a version that we passed last Congress, we are asking the Department of Education, through their curriculum development, to remove or to again take a look at the present curriculum of K-12,” said the Pasig City congressman.

Romulo noted that students in Grades 11 and 12 are currently required to take 15 core subjects and as many as 16 electives, a setup that he said has not met desired education standards.

“It has congested the curriculum.”

Track-and-strand system limits college options

Romulo stressed that the track-and-strand system under Senior High has created unintended barriers for students pursuing college degrees, particularly those outside the STEM strand.

“Ang problema, kunyari gusto mo mag-engineering, certain schools that have engineering courses require na dumaan ka ng STEM," he noted.

(The problem is, for example, if you want to take engineering, certain schools require that you went through the STEM strand.)

He said students who chose other strands are often required to take additional bridging subjects, effectively lengthening their time in college.

“So, pinahaba na natin ang basic education to K-12. Pinahaba pa natin yung kolehiyo for some students," he added. 

(So we already lengthened basic education to K–12, and we further extended college for some students.)

NC II certifications fall short of “job-ready” goal

The committee also raised concerns over the dominance of National Certificate II (NC II) credentials in the technical-vocational track, which Romulo said contradicts the promise that SHS graduates are job-ready.

“Ang promise ng K-12, job ready, but under the PQF kung NC II ka lang, hindi ka job ready.”

(The promise of K–12 is that students are job-ready, but under the PQF, if you only have NC II, you are not job-ready.)

He further explained that NC II certification means a worker still requires supervision and cannot work independently. The hearing cited that there are ongoing discussions among the Department of Education, TESDA, and other stakeholders to revise the Philippine Qualifications Framework and expand NC III and NC IV certifications in Senior High.

Five core subjects aligned with college GE

Under the proposed reforms, the current 15 core subjects in SHS would be reduced to five: effective communication; general science; general mathematics; Philippine history and society; and life and career skills.

DepEd officials told the panel that the streamlined curriculum has already been piloted in 891 schools nationwide, with generally positive feedback from students.

“So parang na-feel ng mga bata they were decongested of too many academic requirements.”

(Students felt that they were relieved from too many academic requirements.)

A representative from the Commission on Higher Education confirmed that the five SHS core subjects are aligned with at least seven to eight General Education (GE) subjects taught in the first year of college, allowing universities to credit these courses.

According to lawmakers, this alignment could effectively remove one semester from four-year college programs, subject to existing laws mandating certain GE subjects.

Expanded electives, honors exam revisited

Under the proposal, Grades 11 and 12 would focus largely on electives, allowing students to deepen learning in areas such as music, arts, mathematics, science, or history based on their interests.

“Kung ang gusto ng learner, pwede niya ma-hone yung skills niya," said Romulo. 

(If that is what the learner wants, they can further hone their skills.)

The committee also revisited the proposal for an “honors exam” at the end of Grade 10, which would allow qualified students to proceed directly to college. Romulo clarified that graduating with honors would not be automatic qualification.

Meanwhile, concerns were raised by Alliance of Concerned Teachers chairperson Ruby Bernardo regarding the possible displacement of Senior High School teachers following the reduction of core subjects.

“Karamihan po sa ating mga senior high school teacher ay lumipat mula sa college noong nabawasan ang GE subjects.”

(Most of our senior high school teachers transferred from college when General Education subjects were reduced.)

Romulo responded that the intent of the reform is to ease the burden on students and families while reviving students’ interest in learning, noting that many parents have complained about the heaviness of the current curriculum. — BM, GMA Integrated News