The Department of Education (DepEd) will pilot a revised Senior High School (SHS) Program in 727 schools starting school year 2025–2026. The updated program aims to reduce the number of core subjects and learning tracks to help better prepare students for employment or college.

The new curriculum will feature only five core subjects: effective communication, life skills, general mathematics, general science, and Filipino history and society. Learning tracks will be narrowed down to two — Academic and Technical Professional — from the current four.

DepEd says the changes respond to challenges in the existing SHS program, such as a congested curriculum, overburdened students and teachers, and a low employment rate among SHS graduates. They acknowledged the need for electives and are awaiting course prerequisites from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian criticized the current system, saying it has not fulfilled its promise of shortening college years and has placed additional financial burdens on families. He urged DepEd to eliminate the SHS-to-college bridging program and move certain college subjects like PE and arts into basic education.

The pilot study includes 160 private and 567 public schools, but Gatchalian noted that only 20 are in rural areas. He stressed the importance of rural inclusion, citing challenges like limited access to equipment and industry partnerships. DepEd plans to fully implement the program by SY 2026–2027.

A recent survey showed only 33% of Filipinos are satisfied with the current SHS program, with cost, limited job opportunities, and the desire for college education cited as major concerns.