New Time Allotment Guidelines Issued for Strengthened SHS Curriculum Class Programming

New Time Allotment Guidelines Issued for Strengthened SHS Curriculum Class Programming

Core subjects are required to be taught for a total of 160 hours per school year, with the total number of hours distributed across three terms.

However, a discrepancy has been noted in the sample schedule presented in DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2026. The provided sample allots 60 minutes per session, four times a week for core subjects. Given that the learning competencies are budgeted for a 10-week period, this default schedule falls short of meeting the required number of total hours

To address this time deficit, the DepEd released an adjusted schedules as reflected in DO 17 s. 2026, whixh provide crucial flexibility for school administrators and curriculum developers mapping out class programs, particularly those managing large student populations.

Purpose of the Adjusted Time Allotments

The revised time allocations are designed to maximize instructional time, allow for more focused delivery of content, and provide flexibility in scheduling. Most importantly, adjusting from the previous allotments ensures that schools can effectively map out schedules that meet the strict mandatory hours required for a student to qualify for a senior high school diploma.

• For instance, Academic Track learners are required to complete a substantial 2,000 total hours across Grades 11 and 12.
• This graduation requirement demands exactly 800 hours dedicated to Core Subjects and at least 1,200 hours allocated for Electives throughout the entire SSHS curriculum.
• Individual Core Subjects, such as General Mathematics and General Science, require 160 hours per year.
• To protect student well-being amidst these rigorous requirements, the guidelines mandate that a learner's total weekly load shall not exceed 40 hours, ensuring a balanced and manageable schedule.

Table 8: Breakdown of the Suggested Class Programs

To implement these goals efficiently, class programs must ensure the efficient scheduling of Core Subjects, Electives, Work Immersion, and other required learning areas while taking into account teacher availability, facility use, and prescribed time allotments. Educators must note the specific hourly breakdowns across subjects as outlined in Table 8:

Core Subjects (160 hours per subject)

• Option 1: 1.5 hours, 4x a week
• Option 2: 1 hour, 5x a week, and 30 minutes asynchronous per subject in a week (recommended for schools implementing double shifts)
• Option 3: 1 hour, 4x a week, and 1.5 hours asynchronous per subject in a week (recommended for schools implementing double shifts)

Academic Electives

For 80-hour Academic Electives:

• Option 1: 2 hours a day, 4x a week
• Option 2: 1.5 hours a day, 5x a week, and 30 minutes asynchronous per subject in a week (recommended for schools implementing double shifts)
• Option 3: 1 hour a day, 5x a week, and 3 hours asynchronous per subject in a week (recommended for schools implementing double shifts)

For 160-hour Academic Electives:

• 4 hours a day, 4x a week

Tech-Pro Electives (320 hours per Elective)

For Grade 11:

• Option 1: 2.5 hours a day, 5x a week
• Option 2: 2 hours a day, 4x a week, and 1 hour asynchronous per subject (recommended for schools implementing double shifts)

Implications for Curriculum Design

These tailored options empower educators to craft more adaptable Lesson Plans and comprehensive curriculum maps that align with the rigorous graduation demands of the SSHS tracks. By explicitly defining the asynchronous requirements, the new guidelines ensure that instructional depth and quality are maintained, even in schools navigating the operational constraints of double-shift schedules.

READ FROM SOURCE

DO 017, s. 2026 – Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum