President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. voiced his frustration over the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum, saying it offers “no advantage” despite its additional cost to Filipino families.
In his BBM Podcast, Marcos echoed Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada’s suggestion to remove SHS from the K to 12 system. “It’s just expressing the same frustration I’ve had. Parents are paying more with two extra years, but students aren’t getting jobs. There’s no benefit,” he said.
Although the law remains, Marcos emphasized the importance of improving the current system. He told Education Secretary Sonny Angara to enhance the program as long as it’s in place.
Angara also acknowledged problems with SHS, citing its overwhelming number of subjects and limited student choices. “The past decade’s implementation wasn’t ideal,” he admitted, though emphasized that only Congress can decide its future.
Senator Estrada’s proposed Senate Bill No. 3001 aims to abolish SHS while preserving the core goals of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. He suggested a streamlined structure: one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary, and four years of high school.
Meanwhile, a revised SHS curriculum—featuring fewer core subjects and a more focused approach—will be piloted in School Year 2025–2026 in 841 schools nationwide.