Department of Education (DepEd) opened the academic year 2025-2026 with the pilot implementation of the revised senior high school (SHS) curriculum in select public and private schools, June 16.
Over 800 pilot schools nationwide were nominated based on the diversity of electives offered, adequacy of teaching staff, and availability of facilities and learning resources — 12 years after the enactment of Republic Act No. 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which introduced the K to 12 program.
In the new curriculum, one key change is the replacement of the previous four-track system. The former tracks — Academic, Technical-Vocational-Livelihood, Arts and Design, and Sports — have been streamlined into just two: Academic and Technical Professional (TechPro).
Core subjects have also been reduced from 15 per semester to only five per year: Effective Communication, Life and Career Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino.
This change follows DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s statement in November 2024, proposing to streamline core SHS subjects to five or six.
“If we reduce the subjects of our SHS curriculum, the students will have more time for the on-the-job training or work immersion needed by the industry so that our senior high school graduates will become more employable even if they lack work experience,” Angara said.
However, in May 2024, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum Gina Gonong stated that five core subjects are “not enough” to be “college ready,” emphasizing that SHS students need to take electives aligned with their intended tertiary education programs.
With the new curriculum, each track offers elective clusters.
Under the Academic track, students may choose from the following options:
- Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Sports, Health, and Wellness
- Field Experience
Meanwhile, the TechPro track includes:
- Agriculture and Fishery Arts
- Information and Communication Technology
- Family and Consumer Science
- Industrial Arts
- Work Immersion
The revision comes after years of criticism directed at the K to 12 curriculum, which aimed to produce “more globally competitive” Filipino graduates.
In July 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. acknowledged that the program had not improved employment outcomes abroad.
“Kung titingnan natin ang naging resulta, hindi tumaas, hindi gumanda ang employability nila. So, we have to do something else,” he said, then suggesting short specialty courses as an alternative.
More recently in June 2025, Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 3001, or the proposed Rationalized Basic Education Act, which seeks to abolish the SHS program altogether for not “fully achieving its goal” of aligning the Philippine education system with international standards.
Meanwhile, according to DepEd Memorandum No. 48, s. 2025, the “strengthened” curriculum envisions streamlined tracks and subjects for greater clarity and efficiency; expanded learner choices to align education with individual aspirations; aligned education with industry demands and national development goals to enhance employability; seamless transitions across various curriculum exits; and the establishment of stackable, seamless learning pathways for continued academic and career growth.
Among the designated pilot schools in Angeles City are Angeles City National Trade School, Angeles City Science High School, Chevalier School, and Francisco G. Nepomuceno Memorial High School.
