The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday assured that there will be no layoffs among public school teachers despite the implementation of the Strengthened Senior High School (SSHS) Curriculum this school year.
In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara assured that no public school teacher will lose employment due to the streamlining of core subjects under the SSHS.
“Malinaw ang ating assurance sa public school teachers: walang mawawalan ng trabaho dahil sa SSHS curriculum (Our assurance is clear for our public school teachers: no one will lose their job due to the SSHS curriculum),” Angara said.
He said all educators will be provided with appropriate teaching loads under the revised framework.
“Ang ginagawa natin ay inaayos ang curriculum para mas malinaw ang direksyon ng learners, habang sinisigurong ang ating mga guro ay may teaching load, suporta, at malinaw na role sa transition (What we did is to modify the curriculum to provide clearer direction for learners, while ensuring that our teachers have teaching load, support, and clear role during the transition),” Angara said.
Under the transition plan, SHS teachers previously teaching core subjects may be assigned to handle relevant electives, work immersion support, field experience management, or learning remediation programs.
The DepEd said private schools can reassign teachers to electives, as well as to various learning support functions that match their credentials.
Angara, meanwhile, noted that the SSHS will provide learners with a “clearer direction,” as the curriculum is more responsive to their needs, as well as the demands of both workplace and communities.
“Gusto nating mas malinaw sa bawat senior high school learner kung saan papunta ang kanilang pinag-aaralan – kolehiyo man, trabaho, negosyo, skills training, o public service (We want to provide a clearer direction to every SHS learner on their end goal – whether in college, employment, business, skills training, or public service),” he said.
“Hindi dapat malito ang bata sa dami ng subjects o sa pathways na hindi tugma sa kanyang pangarap. Dapat ang Senior High School ay tumutulong sa kanila na maghanda para sa totoong buhay (The youth must not be confused with the numerous subjects or pathways that do not match their aspirations. Senior High School must help them prepare for real life).”
Under the revised framework, Academic Track learners may take electives across clusters, such as Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities; Business and Entrepreneurship; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Sports, Health, and Wellness; and Field Experience.
Technical-Professional (TechPro) Track learners, meanwhile, may take electives aligned with training regulations and industry needs, such as agriculture, food innovation, construction, creative arts and design, hospitality and tourism, industrial technologies, ICT, maritime, and human care.
The SSHS is seen to address issues of fragmentation, subject congestion, and limited flexibility found in the previous SHS curriculum.
It also aims to improve instructional efficiency while expanding learner choices through targeted academic and technical-professional electives. (PNA)
