MANILA – Six days before the pilot implementation of the "strengthened" Senior High School (SHS) program, some lawmakers questioned the Department of Education on its readiness for the initial rollout.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro asked DepEd Officials during the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture briefing on Tuesday.  

"Meron na bang gagawin na timeline? Kasi this academic year would be the pilot testing of the new SHS curriculum. Siyempre sa pilot testing, scientifically dapat meron tayong evalutation niyan. Meron na ba kayong timeframe?," she asked.

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"How ready are we sa mga teachers na magtuturo nitong bago na nilagay ninyo? I doubt kung meron tayong kumpletong teachers na magtuturo diyan. Pangalawa, yung training. Kailangan paghandaan yan. Pangatlo, sa GE meron naman sigurong pag-aaral kung ano ibababa," Castro asked citing concerns from teachers.

The lawmaker asked if there are available equipment in schools part of the pilot run.

DepEd will launch the pilot implementation of the strengthened Senior High School (SHS) curriculum in over 800 schools this school year.  

This program will include the five core general education (GE) subjects in Grade 11 and electives in Grade 12.  

"This is not just an implementation but a study. We are doing the study with PIDS. The 889 pilot schools, by typology po yun para makita namin what's the intended curriculum and what's the implemented curriculum. Rest assured we will have a baseline assessment of where we are right now. Then we will be coming up with a midline and then an endline assessment," DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma said.

Castro said the study is crucial to be able to offer technical vocational programs which are relevant to specific regions and provinces.

House Panel Chairperson Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo said the timeline is clear, the pilot run only covers the five core subjects in Grade 11 .

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"From the last meeting, whatever happens klaro tayo walang maaapektuhan na teacher. In fact, ang pinakaproblema natin we don't have enough teachers and we don't have enough specialized teachers," he said.

"What we are doing now is ensuring na ma-comply naman para masigurado naman quality jobs. Nagdagdag na tayo ng dalawang taon sa Grade 11 and 12, eh yung trabahong makukuha yung hanggang fourth year high school ka lang, kawawa naman yung bata," Roman added.

Secondary school group heads made an appeal to the DepEd in relation to the matter.

National Association of Secondary School Heads, Inc. President Roland Dela Cruz hoped the DepEd will consider his suggestion on giving materials earlier.

"Ang request lang namin bilang tagapatupad ng mga programa, dumating po ng medyo maaga. Although dumating naman po yung mga libro at mga kagamitan. Mas maaga dumating yung mga libro, para po mapaghandaan ng mga guro yung ituturo nila lalong lalo na po mag-streamdown to five core subjects," he said.

"Yung other teachers na hindi mapipili sa five core subjects, makapag-training po sila ng maaga through the textbook na ibibigay ng ating mga boss sa DepEd Central at yung trainings. Sana po masama rin yung mga punong guro," Dela Cruz added.

Public Secondary School Principals Association National President Dr. Warlito Rosareal made an appeal with regards to training.

"We will support our department, we love our department. However, we are not yet ready. Kasi wala pang training na i-pilot na natin will start na tayo ng opening on Monday. Sana mabigyan ito ng pansin ng management department," he said.

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Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines Executive Director Narcy Dionisio asked DepEd to release the guidelines for the pilot run soon.  

"Yung assurance po from the Department of Education na yung implementing guidelines for the pilot implementation ay ilalabas na soon. Kasi madami po sa school namin na sasali sa pilot implementation ay mag-oopen sa June 16," he said.

DepEd said participation in the pilot run is voluntary since interested schools apply to join the limited rollout.

The agency said part of the screening of schools is readiness in terms of facilities and teachers and willingness to be part of the program.