MANILA — The Department of Education has increased to 841 the number of schools that will participate in the pilot implementation of the “strengthened” senior high school program this incoming school year 2025-2026.

That figure, composed of both private and public schools, is higher compared to the previously announced 727 participating schools, classified as “highly ready”.

“Nag-increase, Mr. Chair, because we looked at the moderately ready, so that we can have several typologies of schools implementing the senior high school from the rural and the urban, so that we can address more issues as we do the pilot and the study as well,” Education Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral explained during a briefing before the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture.

Under the revised program, SHS core subjects will be trimmed down to five from the current 15. These include effective communication, life skills, general mathematics, general science, and pag-aaral ng kasaysayan at lipunang Pilipino.

The DepEd allocated 160 hours for teaching core subjects in one year. Around 320 to 640 hours will be dedicated for work immersion. This is on top of the hours allotted for electives and field exposure.

“The reason we are trying to revise and design in such a way that the commitment of the secretary as well, is that to make our senior high school ready for a job,” Cabral said.

Committee Chairperson and Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo made a proposal regarding the core subjects.

“What is so difficult in just getting a copy of the GE (general education) subjects. Kung walo ‘yan o anim lang yan, ‘yun nalang. Why do you have to reinvent the wheel? Wala nga kayong experts lahat. Nagcocomplain yung teachers sa amin. Hindi ba natin pwedeng isimplify ang thinking natin?” he told the DepEd.

“We’ll take note of the recommendation this time,” Education Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan replied.

Romulo gave the DepEd until next week to revise the “strengthened” SHS curriculum and to present it before the House panel.