Graduating Just in Time: My Honest Take on the New SHS Curriculum
As someone who’s graduating this year, I’m honestly relieved that I won’t have to experience the new SHS curriculum they’re planning to implement next school year. I’ve gone through the strand system from Grade 11 to 12, and even if it had its own flaws, at least it was organized and clear. Hearing about the upcoming changes just feels messy and unnecessary, and I honestly disagree with the direction they’re taking.
The new curriculum removes strands and reshuffles subjects in a way that feels rushed and confusing. If they’re trying to improve the system, it doesn’t seem like they actually asked students or teachers what we really need. Instead of fixing the problems we already have, like lack of facilities, overloaded workloads, and inconsistent teaching, they’re changing everything again as if students are part of some trial-and-error experiment.
I feel bad for the younger batches who will have to deal with it. From what I’ve seen, even teachers aren’t fully prepared, which means students will end up struggling even more. The curriculum feels disconnected from real life, and instead of making things easier or more practical, it looks like it will just add more pressure and confusion.
Honestly, I’m thankful I’m graduating before all these changes start. The new SHS curriculum doesn’t look like an improvement at all. It feels like another chaotic shift that will only make students’ lives harder.
Right now, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines is changing the Senior High School (Grades 11–12) curriculum. They want to make it less crowded and easier to learn so students can be more ready for college, work, or business when they graduate. This change is called the Strengthened Senior High School Program and is starting with pilot schools in the 2025–2026 school year.
What Is the New Curriculum About?
Under the new program, the many core subjects that used to be required are lessened to only five for the students to take. Electives are grouped into flexible clusters and students can choose subjects based on what they want to learn, not just based on their strand. Only two main tracks remain Academic and TechPro but students can take electives from different clusters.
The good thing about this new curriculum is that it lets students focus more on the most important subjects without being overloaded with too many classes. Students can choose electives that match their interests or future goals, like business, science, art, or tech. The changes may also give us more time for real-world experiences like work immersion, which can help us be ready for jobs after graduation.
As a graduating student I think the idea of making the curriculum simpler and more flexible sounds good. I wish my batch had the chance to experience it because it seems more balanced, flexible and less stressful. Giving students more choices and experience that can help them understand what they really want for their future. Overall, I believe this change will truly benefit future senior high school students.
As a graduating Grade 12 Senior High School student, When heard about the new Senior High School curriculum, my feelings were different that will be used next school year. Some part of me feel curious because of the changes that will help other students learn better. I also think it’s good since they are trying to improve the education system and adjust for the needs of the students.
I think this new curriculum will be helpful since it focuses more on skills that students can use in real life situations or in their future jobs. Having subjects that are mire important can help students be more prepared for college or work. If the lessons are also clearer, students might enjoy learning more and feel less pressured.
On the other hand, I also feel sad because us, graduating students will not experience this new curriculum. We went through the old curriculum with pressure and hardship and sometimes got higher expectations from us. But, i hope that this new curriculum that will be implemented next school year will make the learning fun, easy, and less pressure for the students.
DepEd is revising the SHS (Grades 11 - 12) curriculum to make it less congested, more focused, more flexible, and provide subjects that are easier to align with college requirements. (DepEd, 2025)
As a graduating Grade 12 senior high school student, I believe this emerging revision in the SHS curriculum is definitely an improvement, stronger, more practical, and a step toward achieving the best outcomes DepEd aims for in Philippine education.
Although it is a shame that my batch and previous batches did not get to experience this strengthened version of the SHS curriculum, it also fills me with anticipation about how this update will impact students in the coming academic years.
So what is actually changing in Senior High curriculum?
Core subjects are reduced: the previous 15 core subjects will now be cut down to just 5.
All strands and tracks are merged into two main tracks: Academic and Technical Professional (TechPro).
Fixed strands are removed and replaced with elective clusters: students can now freely choose subjects according to their interests and career goals.
Additionally, Work Immersion will now require 200 hours of duty, which is significantly more than the previous 80 hours (equivalent to 10 days). Having fewer core subjects and elective clusters is already helpful, as it allows students to align their learning with their actual interests and career goals. With longer immersion hours, this curriculum becomes even more effective, leading students to better understand themselves and gain greater clarity and certainty about which college course to pursue due to the extended exposure.
Overall, the strenghtened SHS curriculum might be an excellent progress in the Philippine education. By reducing core subjects, introducing elective clusters, and extending work immersion hours, students will be equipped to explore their interests, develop practical skills, and prepare them for college and careers with greater confidence. Because they will be given more choice, focus, better alignment with their goals, and more real-world exposure. Encouraging self- discovery and improved decision making for higher education and career choices.
While my batch may not experience this updated model of educational program, I am optimisticly looking forward to the positive impact this curriculum will have on future students.
I interviewed a girl named, Shemaiah Francisco. She was a loving girl that grew up with her grandparents ever since she was a child. Her grandparents serves as the greatest blessing that God has given to her for they played an important role in her life, they’re the ones who fulfilled the love and joy that she didn’t feel with her parents, and who supported her in everything she do even from the start.
Shemaiah wants to pay back for what her grandparents have done to her, she is focusing on her studies and making her grandparents proud. She joined a lot of extracurricular activities, and is also active in her ACADS.
When you see her, you might think that she has a strong personality, and that she can do things without being doubtful or confused by herself.
But no, most of the time she doubt herself to think that maybe she’ll do a mistake, and when she found out of what everyone else thought, she gets confused. There’s a time that she wants to give up and thinking to do nothing, because she thought that she can’t manage her time and do the two things at the same time, (ACADS and extracurricular activities) but still, she’s fighting for her dreams and especially for her grandparents, knowing that God is beside her.
I just want to raise awareness to every student who’s experiencing the same way she feels, that we should not give up and just hold on to our dreams. Trust in the Lord, and also it says in the bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Everything happens for a reason, and anything happens for good.
Believe in yourself! Enjoy the moment because you only live once. Just hold on to God, and trust His process.
Technology is not bad and is not good, it is both. It’s a coin having two sides, the negative and the positive side; both are distinct and undeniably connected. One side can’t just move alone without distracting and disturbing the other. Since technology’s contributions are multifold, it is considered as a blessing for it makes things easier as 1, 2, 3 it may be in communication, education, health, spreading information and more, imagine the world without it. On the other hand, there should be something negative impact for us to know our limits it is addictive, harmful at any aspects, laziness comes next, physical health may be at risk and so much more. Though we knew all about these, we end up being permanently imprison with this invention. Technology is not an enemy but a friend, it was invented not to ruin, destroy and gave harm. We are those who created the curse and everything then follows. Without balance, technology which helps us in every other way could also be reason why we are ruined. We created our own path, what we become is an outcome of our choice.
During junior high, I was an active student. I was elected as Grade 9 and 10 Representative, at a two consecutive school year. I used to direct short films that represents our school. Year 2016, my recent directed short film was “MATA” that placed 2nd in MHCC Short Film Contest NCR LEVEL. Some of the subjects we had has its own month to celebrate: August for Buwan ng Wika, October for English Month, November is a month for Values Education, Mathematics Month is celebrated during the month of January and Science month is February. I make sure that I will be able to participate on the event for every subject because for me that was fun and during grade ten I was able to achieve one of my bucket list, and that is to have an award for every subject I joined. There was an abundance of fulfillment and bliss. After moving up, I find it very hard to choose in which school I should apply for Senior High School. All I know is I want a different environment. I don’t hate my previous school, it’s just that… I want CHANGE. My mindset was, if I will be in the same place for Senior High, I will never be able to meet new people that will teach me new lessons (generic line but truth) . Also, If I will be there (PCWHS), where I built my comfort zone, I WILL NEVER GROW.
First day of school came then many firsts followed.
1. First time riding on a train all by myself.
2. First time of being a student in a private school. (Hey, I’m proud to say that I was a product of a public school.)
3. First time of hearing and participating in Adamson Hymn that makes my arm numb. (Well, who doesn’t????)
4. First time of sleeping 1 hour straight for real in a classroom when the teacher isn’t around. (well it was during the end of first semester)
5. First time of cutting class – one subject only and it was because of an unfinished project.
6. First time of skipping school to stay in a friend’s condo for a swimming. (There’s no class anyway, it was a completion week.)
And many more firsts that made my heart skip its beat. But I never regretted those first bad decisions I made because it made me happy. Based on John Lennon, “Time you enjoyed wasting, was not wasted.” After many years of being a good student maybe I deserve a lit senior high school life. I know my priorities and being here made me put my happiness on top.
D O N’ T G E T M E W R O N G. I didn’t learn bad things here at AdU, it is just the other part of me that’s been TRAPPED and been SET FREE.
Before, I am a Grade conscious student but now just a normal-ish student who relish life. Being a teenager is a once in a lifetime phase, it means there’s no second chance. I want my high school life to be the story that I’ll be proud to tell.
Carabuena went viral as one person uploaded the video into social media making him famous for the act that he did, bullying a traffic enforcer that he’s position is higher the law enforcer because he got pulled over, but because of that, his bullying turned around, with the Philippines’ patriotism towards the law enforcer, now he’s the one who’s getting bullied.
What Carabuena did made the netizens mad, due to his boasting about his position in being a HR manager, to a Law enforcer who pulled the car over, that Carabuena did a traffic violation and direct assault. Not just that, if you were the traffic enforcer and you’re doing your best to keep your country in order, it’s really hard especially if you’re going to encounter these kind of people every day, sometimes not just one.
According to Vibar of ABS CBN, with their anger the neitezens filed a petitions to fire Carabuena from his job as a HR Manager at Philip Morris Tobacco Corps. And Carabuena was rushed to the hospital due to his feeling of discomfort because of the offensive comments he received from several people in the fiscal’s office. Not just that but they also made some pictures about him, here are some examples.
And they even made a dedicated social media page just about him.
And they even talked about him in forums.
And the neitizens even have a nick name for him, calling him Bayney or “Baboy” (Pig)
The neitezens affected Carabuena’s life because after all that happened he lost his job, he was the content of news and social media where the netizens bullied him from his bullying, this made him apologize to the MMDA, and here’s the transcript:
Technology and the internet made bullying easier, because most of us, has at least 1 gadget in our house, and some of these gadgets are connected into the internet, and it is connected into social media. Bullying became easier because you can go to that person’s profile or the person’s social media profile and comment or message those person directly hurtful comments. Social media profile is now common because people post their events in it; sometimes they even post their personal information, and their personal life. It also made the poster see a one way mirror where in they feel their own felling but they don’t feel your feelings.
Use social media wisely, don’t post too much information about you, and your life. This also means to not judge but you can react to other person’s post and don’t share a post if you know it is damaging to that person’s life. Don’t respond to a “basher” or a bully, that’s what a bully really wants, your reaction. Don’t fight back to the bully, get a screenshot or save the evidence, talk to a trusted adult or a law enforcer, block the person’s profile so that he can’t find you anymore, be civilized in doing these actions, don’t be a bully as it might back fire, be a friend, not a bystander, if anything happens don’t keep it to yourself, inform the law enforcer or a trusted adult. And according to Alex, Don’t mind other people just focus of what who are as a living in this world and being positive in life, and don’t change yourself because other people insult you. Because again in this world you are YOU-NIQUE J.
TLDR: Carabuena got famous from a video that he was bullying a traffic enforcer, he was boasting about his position, because of his actions the people of the Philippines started to bully him back or a payback because of the action, where in the people think or thought that what they are doing is justice via the internet or social media.
But what really mattered that both of them made a mistake, where in Carabuena started an argument with a traffic enforcer, if he didn’t resisted and just take the ticket it would be fine, Anf the netizens were also wrong, because they harassed, bullied and made fun of him on the internet, where in the internet is actually global. And not just that Carabuena is out numbered, making him feel weak and helpless, this made an effect to Carabuena, physically and mentally, because cyberbullying, can cause so much damage, especially if the bully, is a group of people. And cyberbullying is not the best way to justify someone’s case, it’s a law breaking action.
