Teacher Rodora Santos facilitates the Literacy Remediation Program for Grades 4 and 5 pupils at Kamuning Elementary School in Quezon City on Wednesday, May 21. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Education on Monday revealed significant changes to the senior high school (SHS) core curriculum amidst its preparation for the opening of School Year 2025–2026, even as legislative discussions pose potential implications for its implementation.

A major shift in the new SHS curriculum is the reduction of core subjects from 15 to 5. 

These are: Effective Communication (Mabisang Komunikasyon), Life and Career Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino.

Unlike in the previous curriculum where most core subjects were taught in just one semester, these subjects will now be delivered across two semesters to promote better lesson retention and ease academic workload. Each will be taught for four hours weekly, resulting in shorter daily schedules.

“Kung ang klase ng isang eskwelahan ay nag-umpisa ng alas-7 [ng umaga] sa core subjects at meron pang elective [subject] posible itong makuha sa pagitan lamang ng oras na alas-7 ng umaga hanggang alas-12 ng tanghali. Nandoon lahat iyong mga core subjects at merong karagdagang elective,” explained Undersecretary Willie Cabral of DepEd’s Human Resource and Organizational Development.

Elective subjects will continue to follow a one-semester format and will now be offered in clusters. Under the Academic track, students may choose from clusters like Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities; Business and Entrepreneurship; STEM; Sports, Health and Wellness; and Field Experience. For the Tech-Voc track, clusters include Agriculture and Fishery Arts, ICT, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Arts, Maritime, and Work Immersion. Students are free to choose electives from available clusters in their schools.

Currently, 841 public and private pilot schools have been selected for the new curriculum's implementation. Selection was based on schools’ readiness—availability of qualified teachers, resources, and classroom space.

DepEd hopes the curriculum overhaul will better prepare learners for higher education and employment after graduation.

LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON CURRICULUM ROLLOUT

As curriculum changes begin pilot testing, DepEd remains receptive to legislative developments. The House of Representatives has been conducting discussions that could potentially lead to revisions in the K–12 program.

“Tinatanggap ng DepEd ang lahat ng mga suhestyon at opinyon lalo’t higit kung ito ay makakatulong sa magiging kontribusyon sa ikabubuti ng implementasyon [ng bagong curriculum],” Cabral said.

DepEd acknowledged that any legislative changes might affect the curriculum's full rollout, especially since only Grade 11 students in pilot schools will be covered in the current school year.

OPLAN BALIK ESKWELA AND BRIGADA ESKWELAVolunteers inspect and clean the facilities of Batasan Hills National High School in Quezon City on July 1, 2024, as part of the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela 2024 Regional Pre Kick-Off.  Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

In preparation for school opening, DepEd launched the annual National Oplan Balik Eskwela from June 9 to 20. The initiative engages government agencies and stakeholders in ensuring a smooth and safe start to the academic year.

The department is also set to kick off Brigada Eskwela, its yearly volunteer-driven campaign encouraging community members, organizations, and stakeholders to help prepare schools. The program promotes bayanihan and aims to provide students with a clean, secure, and supportive learning environment.

NEW TEACHING POSITIONS AHEAD OPENING OF CLASSES

School heads and teachers nationwide are finalizing enrollment numbers, class programs, and teacher workload. To support growing student populations, DepEd announced the hiring of 16,000 new teachers for SY 2025–2026. This forms the initial batch of the 20,000 teaching positions proposed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Sa taong 2025, nag-propose tayo ng 20,000 (teaching positions). So, iyong 16,000 ay unang batch pa lamang na nabigyan na ng authorization ng DBM. Ang tanong kung made-deploy ba ito sa taong panuruan, sa pagbubukas ng klase ngayong June 16--positibo po tayo na iyong 16,000 ay may kakayahan na mapunuan, kung hindi man sa unang araw, but definitely on the first months ay mapupunuan ito dahil pinayagan natin ang ating mga division offices,” said Cabral.

Applications for licensed professional teachers began as early as October 2024, followed by recruitment and selection in January 2025. Division offices now have a Registry of Qualified Applicants ready for deployment.

Of the 20,000 requested teaching slots, 10,000 are for elementary and junior high school, 5,000 for senior high school, and the rest for special science and special needs education.

IMPACT OF K–12 TRAINING ON DEPLOYMENT OF NEW TEACHERS

Concerns have emerged about whether the K–12 curriculum training might affect the deployment of newly hired SHS teachers. DepEd clarified that only selected teachers from pilot schools will undergo training for the revised curriculum.

“Meron na tayong bilang ng mga guro na ite-train diyan na magmumula doon sa mga pilot schools na mag-iimplement ng strengthen senior high school [curriculum]. The short answer is hindi [maaapektuhan], dahil itong mga bagong guro na maha-hire ay merong ibang training sa kanila. Dadaan sila sa induction, orientation, and at the same time, mga school-based na preparation kapag on-board nila kung saan sila magtuturo,” Cabral said.

Despite ongoing adjustments and legislative conversations, DepEd maintains that preparations are on track for the new school year and that students will benefit from a more focused, flexible, and relevant SHS curriculum.