Facade of the Department of Education Central Office in this photo taken on July 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Education on Thursday said it was targeting to reduce the number of subjects in the senior high school (SHS) curriculum to boost the students' chances of getting hired by employers.

At the 2024 Regional Conference on Educational Planning in Asia, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said that the agency was "on the right direction to reduce the core subjects" of the SHS curriculum "to just five or six," DepEd said in a statement.

Currently, SHS students are required to take 15 core subjects according to DepEd. 

Angara said reducing the SHS subjects would give students more time for on-the-job training that could enhance graduates' employability even if they lack work experience.

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DepEd said in the statement that it met with academic experts on Monday to hasten efforts in reviewing and streamlining the SHS program.

The curriculum review for Grades 11 to 12, or senior high school, is underway, while the revamped K to 10 curriculum — which focuses on literacy and math skills — is being implemented in phases until 2028.

E-commerce to be added to senior high curriculum

The meeting, which included consultants from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aimed to provide recommendations on the new structure of the SHS curriculum as well as on the content of English, Science, and Math standards and curriculum guides, DepEd said.

The agency also collaborated with the ADB to provide technical assistance and professional guidance to education specialists in revising the SHS program, said the agency.

Under its former chief Vice President Sara Duterte, DepEd earlier said it was eyeing to implement the revised SHS curriculum in 2025.

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