Jinggoy Estrada wants to scrap SHS from PH education system
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada wants the mandatory Senior High School (SHS) level under the K to 12 program removed from the country’s education system, saying it failed to deliver its promised benefits.
In his proposed Senate Bill No. 3001, Estrada said a “rationalized basic education program” would better benefit learners.
He notably proposed a one-year kindergarten education, followed by six years of elementary education and four years of secondary education.
According to Estrada, the mandatory SHS level under the K to 12 program has been met with criticisms and objections from various groups since it was put in place.
“It has been 12 years now since the enactment of the law, yet it still has not fully achieved its goal,” he said.
“We can’t keep letting students and their parents shoulder the extra time and cost of senior high school. Bakit natin hahayaan na patuloy na maging dagdag pasanin sa oras at gastusin ang dalawang taon sa high school level?” he added.
He then pointed out that the SHS program was designed to bring the Philippine education system closer to international standards by serving as a bridge between high school and college.
READ: New SHS program ’not enough for students to be college-ready’ -DepEd
“The goal was to produce graduates who are well-rounded, equipped with 21st-century skills, and ready for whatever path they choose – whether pursuing [a] college degree, learning technical skills, getting a job, or starting a business,” he emphasized.
In his bill amending Republic Act No. 10533, also known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, the Senate’s second top leader cited the admission of Department of Education officials that the “SHS program has not yet reached its vision for the K to 12 graduates” due to congested curriculum, overworked teachers and students, and the low employment rate of SHS graduates.
In his measure, he proposed the retention of “fundamental principles” of RA 10533, but specifically sought the removal of the mandatory SHS level.
“The aim is to simplify the high school system while still making sure students get quality education that meets global standards,” said Estrada.
READ: 18.9M Filipino graduates in 2024 found to be functionally illiterate
“This bill is a practical step to fix our basic education system – make it more efficient, use resources better, and give students a more meaningful learning experience,” he added. /jpv
