K to 12 grads get direct pathway to gov't jobs via civil service exam — DepEd

Senior high school graduates and qualified junior high school completers may now have a more direct route to government employment, as the Department of Education (DepEd) encourages them to take the August 2026 civil service examination.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative is meant to strengthen school-to-work pathways by allowing basic education graduates to qualify for entry-level government positions.

“Gusto nating maramdaman ng mga kabataan na may malinaw na susunod na hakbang pagkatapos ng paaralan,” Angara said.

(We want young people to feel that there is a clear next step after school.)

“Para sa mga gustong pumasok sa serbisyo publiko, tutulungan natin silang makapaghanda, makapag-apply, at makita na may lugar sila sa pamahalaan kung nais nilang maglingkod,” he added.

(For those who want to enter public service, we will help them prepare, apply, and see that there is a place for them in government if they wish to serve.)

The push follows a policy by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which recognizes K to 12 completers, including senior high school graduates, as eligible for first-level government positions, subject to qualification standards.

Eligible applicants aged 18 and above may take the Career Service Examination–Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) for both professional and subprofessional levels on August 9, 2026.

The application period runs from May 14 to June 10, 2026.

Under DepEd Memorandum No. 32, s. 2026, schools and field offices have been directed to assist interested learners by providing information on application requirements, offering review support, and coordinating with CSC offices.

DepEd said the move is part of broader efforts to make basic education more responsive to employment needs, particularly for graduates seeking to enter the workforce immediately after finishing school. — RSJ, GMA News