Will SHS mean two more years of High School? Yes. These two additional years will equip learners with skills that will better prepare them for the future, whether it be:

• Employment
• Entrepreneurship
• Skills Development (Further Tech-Voc training)
• Higher Education (College)

Will the additional two years of High School mean additional expenses? Not necessarily.

Senior High School “completes” basic education by making sure that the high school graduate is equipped for work, entrepreneurship, or higher education. This is a step up from the 10-year cycle where high school graduates still need further education (and expenses) to be ready for the world.

SHS will be offered free in public schools and there will be a voucher program in place for public junior high school completers as well as ESC beneficiaries of private high schools should they choose to take SHS in private institutions.

This means that the burden of expenses for the additional two years need not be completely shouldered by parents.

What will I learn in SHS that the current high school curriculum doesn’t include?

• Senior High School covers eight (8) learning areas as part of its core curriculum, and adds specific tracks (similar to college courses) based on four (4) disciplines:
  • Academic (which includes Business, Science & Engineering, Humanities & Social Science, and a General Academic strand)
  • Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (with highly specialized subjects with TESDA qualifications)
  • Sports
  • Arts & Design
• SHS Students may pick a track based on how he or she will want to proceed after high school graduation. You can learn more about the tracks and strands (as well as their curriculum) in the K to 12 Curriculum Guides.

Will SHS ensure employment for me?

• SHS cannot guarantee employment; but it creates the following opportunities:
  • Standard requirements will be applied to make sure graduates know enough to be hirable.
  • You will now be able to apply for TESDA Certificates of Competency (COCs) and National Certificates (NCs) to provide you with better work opportunities.
  • Partnerships with different companies will be offered for technical and vocational courses.
  • You can now get work experience while studying; and companies can even hire you after you graduate.

Entrepreneurship courses will now be included. Instead of being employed, you can choose to start your own business after graduating, or choose to further your education by going to college.

How will SHS affect my college education?

• SHS, as part of the K to 12 Basic Curriculum, was developed in line with the curriculum of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) – the governing body for college and university education in the Philippines.
• This ensures that by the time you graduate from Senior High School, you will have the standard knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to go to college.

How will students choose their Senior High School specializations? Students will undergo assessments to determine their strengths and interests. These will include an aptitude test, a career assessment exam, and an occupational interest inventory for high schools. Career advocacy activities will also be conducted to help guide students in choosing their specialization or track.

How will student specializations/tracks be distributed across Senior High Schools? Specializations or tracks to be offered will be distributed according to the resources available in the area, the needs and interests of most students, and the opportunities and demands of the community.

Where will Senior High School be implemented? Will my school offer SHS?

• Existing public and private schools, including colleges, universities and technical institutions may offer Senior High School.
• There may also be stand-alone Senior High Schools established by DepEd or private organizations.

Will SHS modelling schools that implemented the SHS program in SY 2012-13 be allowed to implement the SHS Program? SHS modelling schools listed in DepEd Order No. 71, s. 2012 may implement the SHS program, but they must go through the process of applying a provisional SHS permit, and must meet the standards and requirements for the SHS Program.

Is SHS really necessary? Must I go to SHS? Yes, according to the law. Beginning SY 2016-2017, you must go through Grades 11 and 12 to graduate from High School.

If I choose not to go to SHS, what happens to me? You will be a Grade 10 completer, but not a high school graduate. Elementary graduates are those who finish Grade 6; high school graduates must have finished Grade 12.

Where can I find out more about SHS? You can find out more at the K to 12 page. You can also ask your school administration (public or private) to contact the DepEd division office to help organize an orientation seminar.