GRADUATES OF REALITY

How college fits in the life of the Filipino youth

ALONG MALAPITAN  |  Feature Editor

March 7, 2026

As the colorful celebrations of graduates are heard, what comes after is the dull reality of being required to be job-ready.

As the undersecretary of the Department of Education, Armando Malunes shared the reason why the strengthened curriculum was created in place, he emphasized the true state of the education Filipino youths—and how this system was solidified under the accepted reality that college cannot be for everybody. 

K-12’s goal

Malunes recalled the state of the educational system under president Benigno Aquino III, for the K-12 system’s goal is to prepare college graduates to be job ready. 

But beyond life after college, this also takes into consideration the reality that not everyone has the ability to go to college. 

“When we recall the education under Benigno Aquino III, ung K-12 niya, its goal is to get college graduates to be job ready. Because the truth of the Filipino youth is, that not everyone is capable of taking college degrees,” Malunes said.

Reality of college graduates

Despite preparations and actions of the educational system, the reality is that college graduates often walk out the door confused about what to do with their life. 

These kinds of graduates are even called ‘watered-down versions’ of themselves—an observed weaker state opposite to the desired vision of the system. 

Lessen redundancy

The goal of this improved curriculum is to lessen the repeating lessons that are tackled time after time again. Instead, what replaces this cycle of knowledge are the practical applications that can be brought beyond college, and into the reality of finding a job. 

“Ang curriculum na ito, layon niyang bawasan ang paulit-ulit na tinatalakay na mga lessons. The goal is to equip the students with necessary skills if they decide not to go to college and help their families instead,” Malunes said.

As the noise of the celebrations quiet down, the Filipino youth graduates are often left confused about the reality of life. On the other hand, college cannot even begin to fit in the life of a student. 

Therefore, with this accepted truth, the educational system was inspired to pave a different path for the students—helping them figure out what life is after learning, and that the true challenge is the reality of work. 

OTHER RELATED POSTS