STI to adopt 'strengthened' SHS curriculum

STI College will roll out the Department of Education’s (DepEd) strengthened Senior High School (SHS) curriculum across its 63 campuses nationwide starting School Year 2026–2027.

The move aligns with DepEd’s updated SHS framework and follows a pilot implementation in select campuses, including STI College General Santos, according to the institution.

Under the revised curriculum, the previous four-track system will be streamlined into two main pathways: Academic and Technical-Professional (TechPro).

The new structure will also remove fixed strands, allowing students to customize their learning by taking core subjects alongside electives across different fields.

The curriculum will also reduce 15 core subjects into five key areas: Effective Communication, Life and Career Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Philippine History and Society.

STI said the changes aim to “decongest” the curriculum and promote deeper, interdisciplinary learning while better preparing students for higher education and employment.

“At STI, we’ve always believed in future readiness… Through hands-on learning, we are ensuring every student is career-ready whether it’s stepping into university, straight into the workforce, or even taking on entrepreneurship,” said STI Vice President for Academics Karen Tabije.

With the revised setup, students are also expected to have more time for field exposure, including on-the-job training (OJT) and apprenticeships with industry partners.

The transition will apply to incoming Grade 11 students beginning SY 2026–2027, while Grade 12 students from non-pilot schools will continue under the current curriculum.

Alongside the rollout, STI also renewed its partnership with DepEd through a memorandum of understanding signed on May 4, 2026.

The agreement aims to expand access to technology-driven education by utilizing STI’s campuses, mobile school buses, and facilities to support underserved communities.

The partnership builds on earlier initiatives, including STI Foundation’s “Driving Education Where IT Matters” program launched in 2007 under DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program.

STI added that it will continue to support career guidance and digital literacy efforts through programs such as the Student’s Career Opportunity and Personality Evaluator (SCOPE) and Career Camp workshops. —VAL, GMA News