Strengthened Senior High Core Subjects rejected for pilot implementation

Strengthened Senior High Core Subjects for pilot implementation rejected

The proposed five core subjects for the Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) program for pilot implementation have been rejected, with Congressman Roman Romulo advocating for the adoption of eight existing college General Education (GE) subjects instead.

During the May 19 House Press briefing, Romulo questioned the Department of Education's (DepEd) curriculum, stating it deviates from committee agreements. He strongly advised DepEd to integrate CHED's eight GE subjects, arguing this would ensure college readiness, eliminate bridging programs, and resolve textbook shortages as materials are readily available.

"Why is it so difficult to get a copy of the GE subjects? Why do you need to reinvent the wheel?" Romulo pressed DepEd, highlighting concerns about teacher expertise and the burden on Filipino families.

"But you are making it difficult talaga, eh. Hindi ba natin pwedeng isimplify ang thinking natin and help the Filipino families. Pag pinasa na nila iyan eh college ready na sila, kasi college subjects mga iyan," Romulo added.

He strongly advises DepEd to simply adopt the eight (8) General Education (GE) subjects from CHED. This, he argues, would guarantee alignment with college curricula, eliminate the need for bridging programs, and solve textbook availability issues, as books for these eight subjects are already available.

"Sa totoo lang ang layo ng prinopose ninyo doon sa napag-usapan," Romulo added.

The five core subjects initially proposed by DepEd for the strengthened SHS curriculum were Effective Communication (Mabisang Komunikasyon), Life Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino (Philippine History and Society). Romulo's proposal suggests replacing these with eight general education subjects commonly found in college curricula. This, he argues, offers a more direct path to tertiary education.

"That's why we're asking DepEd, based on today's submission, to take a look again. This seems like a shift from one complicated curriculum to another complicated curriculum, when there's a clear way to streamline it and ensure our students achieve functional literacy," Romulo continued.

"Sa totoo lang ang layo ng prinopose ninyo doon sa napag-usapan," Romulo added.

A revised curriculum, incorporating these recommendations, is expected to be submitted next week. Another meeting is scheduled, with hopes for a streamlined curriculum that ensures "functional literacy" without delaying the SHS program's implementation.