The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday asserted that senior high school (SHS) graduates are fit right after finishing high school.
With the four exits envisioned for SHS graduates—namely, higher education, entrepreneurship, employment or middle-level skills development—the first batch of Grade 12 learners are about to become full-fledged contributors to social development and nation-building.
The DepEd is keen to note that the K to 12 Basic Education Program has equipped them with values, knowledge and skills that communities, businesses and industries need, Education Secretary Leonor M.Briones said.
Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) warned that the first batch of K to 12 graduates may not be qualified to work.
The PCCI noted that the graduates of K to 12 appear to lack 80 hours or two weeks, which is a minimum requirement for the on-the-job training (OJT) from the first batch of graduates last March.
The DepEd said it recognizes the PCCI’s concern with regard to the minimum number of training hours of SHS graduates, and maintains its confidence in the strong partnerships it has forged, and continues to foster with different industry partners, such as PCCI, that enable SHS graduates to strike a balance between theory and practice, specifically through work immersion.
Work immersion is a key subject under the SHS curriculum that may be conducted in different ways and time frame as needed by SHS learners.
The subject will provide learners with opportunities to become familiar with the workplace; for employment simulation; and to apply their competencies in areas of specialization/applied subjects in authentic work environments.
Specifically, DepEd Order 30 Series 2017, or Guidelines for Work Immersion, 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.
Under the order, 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 eight 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); a learner’s purpose and needs; school capabilities and compliance to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and DepEd work immersion guidelines. 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.
The K to 12 program was crafted in close coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), Tesda and representatives of business community. It aims to produce lifelong learners who are locally and globally competitive, and ready to pursue their desired path.
1 comment
this is a joke