Senator Estrada Proposes Abolition of Senior High School, Cites K-12 Failures | People’s Press PH

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed Senate Bill No. 3001 seeking to abolish the Senior High School (SHS) program under the K-12 basic education curriculum, citing what he describes as its failure to deliver on promises of improved educational and employment outcomes.

Estrada's proposal to amend the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 comes amid mounting public dissatisfaction over the decade-old K-12 system. Implemented to align the Philippine education system with global standards, the K-12 reform added two years to high school education Grades 11 and 12 intended to better prepare students for college, work, or entrepreneurship.

“More than ten years since the implementation of K-12, we have yet to see any tangible improvement in our educational outcomes,” Estrada said. “Instead, what we have seen is an added burden both financial and timewise on Filipino students and their families.”

Mounting Criticisms

Estrada’s move echoes the frustrations of many parents and students. A 2022 Pulse Asia survey found that 44% of Filipinos were dissatisfied with the K-12 system, mainly due to the increased cost of education, quality of instruction, and limited job opportunities for SHS graduates.

Despite SHS being designed to equip students with job-ready skills, data suggests otherwise. Only about 20% of SHS graduates enter the workforce directly, while most employers still prefer applicants with at least two years of college education, according to reports by Rappler.

Additionally, concerns persist about the curriculum’s effectiveness in developing critical thinking and practical skills. Educators have cited the lack of qualified teachers, learning materials, and adequate facilities as major bottlenecks in fully realizing the goals of K-12.

Reform or Rollback?

While some lawmakers are pushing for improvements within the current K-12 framework, such as curriculum enhancements and better teacher training, Estrada believes that eliminating the SHS component altogether may be a more decisive course of action.

“I am not against education reform,” he clarified. “But if a reform fails to benefit the students it's meant to serve, then we must not be afraid to rethink our strategies.”

The Bigger Picture

The debate reignited by Estrada’s bill also highlights a broader challenge: how to make Philippine education globally competitive while remaining accessible and relevant to Filipino realities.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to release a formal statement on the proposed legislation, though Secretary of Education Vice President Sara Duterte has previously acknowledged the need to review the effectiveness of the K-12 system.

As the proposal awaits Senate deliberation, Estrada’s call adds urgency to the nationwide clamor for a critical reassessment of the Philippines’ basic education roadmap.

(Source: Senate of the Philippines)

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