The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday lauded the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for allowing the hiring of Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) graduates in first-level positions in the government.

The CSC promulgated Resolution No. 2500229 on March 6, formally recognizing Grade 10 and Grade 12 graduates under the K to 12 (Kinder to Grade 12) curricula as eligible for first-level government positions.

This is in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the employability of graduates of basic education and address job mismatch in the country.

“We thank the CSC for this landmark decision. It not only opens new doors for our learners but also boosts the government’s talent pool with fresh, young professionals trained under our K-12 system,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

In particular, the CSC revised qualification standards for entry-level positions in “clerical, trades, crafts, and custodial services.”

These include structured and sub-professional work, which will be beneficial especially to graduates under the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track.

Angara said the CSC’s move sends a “powerful signal” to both K-12 graduates and their parents that the basic education curriculum delivers “real employment opportunities.”

“For years, our SHS students have been trained to be work-ready, but policy gaps kept them from entering the public sector. This reform finally bridges that divide,” he said.

With the new policy in place, JHS and SHS graduates may be hired in the public service once they secure relevant requirements, including experience, training and eligibility for purposes of appointment to said positions. (PNA)