CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Approximately 153,510 students will comprise the first batch of Senior High School (SHS) graduates in Central Luzon. From this figure, 74,435 are in public SHS; 76,476 in private SHS; and 2,599 in local or state universities and colleges.
“These graduates would become full-fledged contributors to social development and nation-building. K to 12 Basic Education Program has equipped them with values, knowledge, and skills that communities, businesses, and industries need,” Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Malcolm Garma said.
Work Immersion is a key subject under the SHS Curriculum that may be conducted in different ways and time frame as needed by learners.
“The subject provides learners with opportunities to become familiar with the work place; for employment simulation; and to apply their competencies in areas of specialization/applied subjects in authentic work environments,” Garma added.
Specifically, DepEd Order No. 30, Series 2017 provides learners with access to industry partners’ facilities and employment simulation where they are given opportunities to apply their competencies, gain practical industrial skills, and develop good work ethics and values relevant to pursuing further education and/or joining the world of work.
A learner is required to render a minimum of 80 hours for Work Immersion. Consequently, as provided by law, a child below the age of 18 but older than 15 must spend a maximum of 40 hours per week and no more than 8 hours per day in the work immersion venue.
“The same issuance does not limit a learner’s practical work experience hours to 80 hours and offers several delivery models from which schools may choose based on the number of hours (80 hours, 240 hours, 320 hours); learner’s purpose and needs; and school capabilities and compliance to guidelines set by DepEd, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Labor and Employment. Schools may also design their own delivery model as they deem fit for a specific situation or concern, subject to the approval of the Regional Office,” Garma explained.
Relative to this, Central Luzon garnered a 99% passing rate or 1,475 out of 1,477 SHS learners who voluntarily took the National Certification Assessment.
The K to 12 Program was crafted in close coordination with Commission on Higher Education, TESDA and representatives of business community.
It aims to produce lifelong learners who are locally and globally competitive, and ready to pursue the desired path. (CLJD-PIA 3)