The Senior High School department of Palsong National High School in Bula, Camarines Sur has started a tracer study to determine if their graduates have ended up in the workforce.

Initial findings indicate that this isn’t the case.

The school is also seeing the need to revisit the Senior High School curriculum, and the possibility of integrating an elective subject into the academic track to help develop additional skills that can help students land jobs after graduation.

“They are already in their right age for work. And, in fact, our TVL (Technical-Vocational-Livelihood) students are already ready for the world of work. They are trained, especially the skills, ‘yung mga kailangan sa TVL strand. Magagaling naman na sila. It’s just that, some of them decided to pursue college,” said Janice Velitario, SHS Coordinator of Palsong National High School.

On February 27, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. directed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to strengthen the senior high school curriculum to ensure employability of SHS graduates.

The directive is at the national level but regional offices are reportedly ready to carry the order out.

Shannen la Torre, 18, a Grade 12 student pursuing the TVL strand, said she would prefer to work first before pursuing a college degree.

She is set to graduate at the end of School Year 2023-2024.

“Kapag na-build ko na po kasi ‘yung sarili kong work, or nakapag-work na ako before mag-college, mas open ang experience. Although sa college may experience pero guided pa,” said

Another Grade 12 student, Jorge Aaron Abillonar, believes in the value of a college diploma.

“Mahalaga pa po ang makatapos ng college, makakuha ng diploma. Kapag business kasi or magka-work na ako, wala pong katiyakan kung ano ang mapupuntahan ko,” he said.

Abillonar is set the finish the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand.