With the Catanduanes National High School included as one of the 22 pilot schools in the Bicol region, the Department of Education Schools Division Office recently oriented school heads and other key officials on the implementation of the strengthened Senior High School (SHS) program.
Last Dec. 10, 2025, SDO Catanduanes officials led by the OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Delfin Bondad, district supervisors, the education program supervisor in charge of SHS, heads of public and private school with SHS, and senior high school coordinators attended an orientation on the new SHS curriculum at the Virac Pilot Elementary School.
CNHS is the only public school in Catanduanes among the 22 pilot schools in Bicol and the total 841 schools nationwide included in the pilot implementation of the strengthened SHS program.
In Bicol, Camarines Sur and its cities have eight public schools in the list, followed by Camarines Norte and its city with five, Albay with four, Sorsogon with three and Masbate with one.
According to the report of DepEd Bicol, full implementation of the program may commence this coming School Year 2026-2027, thus the need to prepare for the changes that will affect both public and private schools.
Under the K to 12 Program, the SHS was designed to prepare students for higher education, employment, middle level skills development, or entrepreneurship.
However, research revealed issues that hinder the education department from realizing its goals for SHS graduates, including a congested curriculum and cognitive mismatch; overworked students and teachers; low labor participation at just 10 percent of SHS graduates.
But there were some notable achievements with the program improving the hiring outlook and resulting in increased school participation.
The goal of the retooled SHS program is to empower graduates for employment, decongest the SHS curriculum, enhance work immersion program for SHS learners, and fund and support the assessment and certification of the SHS-Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) graduates.
The key features of the Strengthened SHS program are five core subjects; streamlined and updated courses; updated time allotment; two tracks only-Academis and TechPro; and a choice of subjects based on student exit and plans, not tracks.
In the existing curriculum, there are 15 core subjects, 7 applied and 9 specialized subjects, totaling 31 subjects offered in various tracks and specializations.
In the new one, there will be only 5 core subjects: Effective Communications, Life Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino.
Effective Communication/Mabisang Komunikasyon helps Grade 11 students improve their English skills for speaking, writing, and using digital tools. It also helps students use Filipino effectively in everyday, school, and work situations.
The Life Skills subject teaches students important life skills for personal growth, health, and preparing for a career.
General Mathematics helps students understand and use math concepts from numbers, algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics.
General Science covers Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth and Space Science, showing how they connect and affect the Philippines and the world.
Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino focuses on studying social and historical issues using thematic, multicultural, and interdisciplinary approaches. It aims to deepen students’ understanding of history, Filipino identity, and sustainable development, while developing civic skills needed to become responsible citizens of the country and the world.
The new subjects are grouped into clusters, with the Academic consisting of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities; Business and Entrepreneurship; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and Sports, Health, and Wellness.
The Technical Professional elective clusters consist of Aesthetic Wellness & Human Care; Agri-Fishery Business and Food Innovation; Artisanry & Creative Enterprise; Automotive & Small Engine Technologies; Construction & Building Technologies; Creative Arts & Design Technologies; Hospitality & Tourism; ICT Support & Computer Programming Technologies; Industrial Technologies; and, Maritime Transport.
To promote greater flexibility and learner agency, learners are allowed to take 1 to 2 elective subjects from a track other than the one they originally chose, providing them the opportunity to broaden their skill sets and career exposure.
The Landas toolkit sill also help HS students, with guidance from teachers and parents, make informed career choices.