JINGGOY FILES BILL SEEKING REMOVAL OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION

SAYING that it has failed to deliver its promised benefits, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has proposed the removal of the mandatory Senior High School (SHS) level under the K to 12 program in a bid to rationalize the country’s basic education system.

“Ever since this education reform was put in place, it has been met with criticisms and objections from various groups. It has been 12 years now since the enactment of the law, yet it still has not fully achieved its goal,” Estrada said, referring to Republic Act 10533 also known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

“We can’t keep letting students and their parents shoulder the extra time and cost of senior high school. Bakit natin hahayaan na patuloy na maging dagdag pasanin sa oras at gastusin ang dalawang taon sa high school level?” he added.

The SHS program was designed to bring the Philippine education system closer to international standards by serving as a bridge between high school and college. The goal was to produce graduates who are well-rounded, equipped with 21st-century skills, and ready for whatever path they choose – whether pursuing college degree, learning technical skills, getting a job, or starting a business.

In seeking to amend the law, Estrada filed Senate Bill 3001, where he cited the admission of Department of Education (DepEd) officials that the “SHS program has not yet reached its vision for the K to 12 graduates” due to congested curriculum, overworked teachers and students, and the low employment rate of SHS graduates, with only 10% entering the workforce – mostly in informal sectors.

Furthermore, survey results from Pulse Asia Research Inc. in March 2025 showed low satisfaction levels with the program, with only 33% of respondents satisfied, while 40% expressed dissatisfaction.

Historical trends also reveal a declining approval rate for SHS, from 41% in 2023 to 35% in 2024, and further down to 33% in 2025.

Estrada’s proposed measure retains the fundamental principles of RA 10533 but removes the SHS level. The aim is to simplify the high school system while still making sure students get quality education that meets global standards.

Under the rationalized basic education program, Estrada recommended a one-year kindergarten education, followed by six years of elementary education and four years of secondary education.

“This bill is a practical step to fix our basic education system – make it more efficient, use resources better, and give students a more meaningful learning experience,” said Estrada.