黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering to start the implementation of the reducing core subjects in the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum this year.

鈥淎ctually, ang plano dyan, 2026 pa implement yan pero tinatarget namin ngayong 2025,鈥� Education Secretary Sonny Angara recalled in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Malate, Manila on Wednesday.

(Actually, the plan is to implement it in 2026, but we are targeting its implementation this 2025.)

In November 2024, Angara proposed the reduction of core subjects in the SHS curriculum to just five or six subjects from the current 17 subjects.

This move was meant to boost the employability of the students when they graduate.

READ: DepEd eyes reducing SHS subjects to boost graduate employability

鈥淎lthough nakikiusap yung ibang eskwelahan na napakahirap daw, so i-phase natin yung implementation,鈥� he said.

(Although some schools are requesting, saying it is quite difficult to execute, so we will phase the implement it.)

Angara said the implementation will begin in the School Year 2025-2026.

The department will give schools the freedom to determine how they will put into practice the new measure in the curriculum.

鈥淚bibigay natin 鈥榶ung basic curriculum, tapos bahala na yung mga schools kung may gusto silang idagdag o i-offer na mga electives, especially sa mga private sectors,鈥� Angara said.

(We will give the basic curriculum and it is up to the schools if they want to add or offer electives, especially in the private sectors.)

鈥淲e will give them a lot of freedom,鈥� he emphasized.

The education chief mentioned that aside from being given less number of core subjects, students will have the freedom to choose their electives.

鈥淧ara makita ng mga students 鈥榶ung interest nila鈥� na makaka-specialize yung mga bata sa gusto nila,鈥� he said.

(So the students will be able to determine their interests and they can specialize on what they want.)

READ: Gatchalian pushes anew bill to boost SHS graduates鈥� employability

He also shared that the DepEd is coordinating with the Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for possible adjustments in college curriculums as a result of this initiative.

Meanwhile, Angara was asked if the schools are prepared on the target implementation of the reduced core subjects.

He answered: 鈥淵es, in fact, they welcome it. Feeling nila, valid 鈥榶ung mga findings namin and yung findings, galing naman sa kanila.鈥�

(Yes, in fact, they welcome it. They feel that our findings are valid, and the findings really came from them.)

Angara also reiterated his call on companies, the government, and the Civil Service Commission to review their hiring qualifications and determine the positions that need a four-year bachelor degree

鈥淭here are a lot of salary grades in the civil service na hindi naman nangangailangan ng four-year course,鈥� he stated.聽

(There are a lot of salary grades in the civil service that do require a four-year course.)