HEIGHTENED EDUCATION

What does the DepEd’s strengthened curriculum promises? 

ALONG MALAPITAN  |  Feature Editor

March 7, 2026

They say the more the merrier, but not according to the Department of Education in the Philippines, wherein they have piloted the ‘Strengthened Senior High School curriculum’. The goal of this is to reduce the number of subjects from fifteen, to five instead, which is to be taken throughout the whole school year. 

A plan shared by the undersecretary of DepEd, Armando Malunes discusses what goes under this new curriculum. For he believes that education is more about the quality of preparation, rather than the quantity of information. 

“There are two tracks involved only. At this time, we have an academic and TechPro or technical profession cluster. These are not considered as strands,” Malunes said.

Reduced subjects

Subjects are reduced significantly, lowering down from fifteen, to now five subjects. These core subjects are aligned by the Commission on Higher Education. Yet, its difference with the old curriculum, is that semesters are removed, and lessons are taught in the entire school year. 

“Reduced from fifteen core subjects down to just five,” Malunes said.

“The five core subjects are aligned by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and are taken in the entire school year, unlike the fifteen taken by semester,” Malunes said.

Workload confuses students

By reducing the subjects to the five core lessons, the workload of students is reduced. Their focus can now align with lesser information, which in turn improves the effectiveness of knowledge retainment. 

Redundant lessons as problems 

This curriculum was also built on the complaints raised by the teachers, parents, and students themselves. In the case of fifteen subjects, repeating lessons were often taught, making it redundant by college. Sometimes the knowledge presented was not even required in college, losing its value within the four corners of the school. 

“There was a problem raised by the teachers, and other school districts. Mayroon ding surveys from teachers, students, and parents, and they collectively said na ‘redundant’ na ang mga lessons,” Malunes said.

The problem was tackled by including subjects that are actually needed and aligned with the lessons taught in college. This values the lessons that are provided, and secures its validity up until college. This will be piloted towards the upcoming Grade 11 only. 

“The subjects align when you come to college, and will be taken only in the upcoming Grade 11, not Grade 12,” Malunes said.

Clusters replaced strands 

The difference of the improved curriculum with the old, is that it removed strands, and replaced it with clusters instead. 

Clusters are divided into two, the academic elective that focuses on intellectual teachings, and the technical profession, which gives opportunity towards hands-on learning. This lessens redundancy and focuses on core lessons without repeating knowledge. 

“Students will have to choose between electives. The academic elective focuses on intellectual teaching subjects, while the technical profession teaches you hands-on and technical application,” Malunes said.

Practical applications integrated

The end goal of this curriculum is to further expose students to practical applications that were not experienced during the old curriculum. It considers students who do not see college in their future, but rather focuses on the reality of earning money. 

“The goal is for our students to be exposed to practical application in their working era. This is for them to explore what they can do and earn money if they decide not to go to college,” Malunes said.

As the piloting of this heightened system of education continues, the Department of Education prepares students with what aligns towards their future, rather than overloading them with every information in the present. 

For as the system of education continues to learn, they realized that the quantity of learning does not always secure a great quality of education.

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