‘HIGH STANDARDS’

DepEd urges DOLE: ‘Credit SHS training to work experience’

ISKO MORENO  |  News Editor

March 7, 2026

Department of Education (DepEd) urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to recognize Senior High School (SHS) training as work experience, saying the new strengthened SHS curriculum aims to produce work-ready graduates by strengthening their practical skills.

“I hope DOLE will credit the experience of learners,” Undersecretary of DepEd, Armando Malunes, said during a press briefing on March 7.

Malunes explained that crediting SHS experience would help graduates enter the workforce more easily after finishing high school.

Financial obligations

Malunes noted that not everyone can continue to go to college because of financial instability and obligations.

He claims that some students are forced to enter the workforce immediately after high school.

Above the roof standards

However, Malunes emphasized that most companies still require a college degree.

“They have high standards for hiring for a job,” he said. "Hinahanapan nila agad ito ng work experience."

Despite the K–12 curriculum being implemented during the administration of Benigno Aquino III to make learners employable, even as SHS graduates.

“But in reality, little to no students are legitimately capable of what they do after they graduate SHS,” Malunes said.

Malunes remarked that companies treated them as a “watered-down” version of college undergraduates.

Ready for hire

Malunes stressed that the new SHS curriculum is designed to produce “work-ready” graduates, claiming they will be more exposed to practical applications.

“It will allow students who choose not to pursue college to enter the workforce with practical skills,” he said. “They will know what to expect in a workplace.”

He expressed that with this revised curriculum, it will increase the learners’ work knowledge and training.

Malunes exclaimed that the revised curriculum is not just a pathway to college but also a bridge to the workforce.

“With this curriculum, graduates will be better prepared, equipped with practical skills, and ready to face the demands of the workplace,” he said, emphasizing that recognizing SHS training as work experience would give students a real chance to succeed after high school.

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