by: Mary Lailani Pitao-Tupaz
NAVAL, Biliran – Senior high school, the additional two years in high school under the new curriculum, the K-12 Program, aims to hone the appropriate skills of students preparing them for work and livelihood as they graduate senior high school, as well as help them decide to choose their field of study as they enter college education.
Dr. Ronico Y. Amistoso, PSDS Division Coordinator for Senior High School in the Division of Biliran, explained the benefits and advantages of adding two years senior high school in the new curriculum in his two consecutive guestings at the Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan hosted by PIA-Biliran over Radyo Natin Naval in June 11 and 18.
The advantages of finishing senior high school were evident in the four model schools in the entire division of Biliran where majority of the 50 graduates landed in jobs and became entrepreneurs and into on call services in their chosen track of specialization since they already have reached the maturity age of 18 on their graduation in senior high, Dr. Amistoso informed.
He added that, out of the 13 senior high school graduates in Manlabang National High School, five went to college, five got jobs, and three others are now employed in Tacloban and Manila.
Further, he informed that out of the 10 graduates at the Naval National High School, five landed a job and five are in Manila.
One is in college, 10 have jobs already, and three are waiting for employment from the 14 graduates at the Naval School of Fisheries, he said.
From the Maripipi National Vocational School where 13 finished senior high school, seven landed a job within the province, two into on call services and four remained undecided, he added.
With the current statistics in the employment opportunities of senior high school graduates, Dr. Amistoso is encouraging students, parents, and other stakeholders to support the program and visit their office for further information.
Currently, four out of the 20 secondary schools in the entire division are implementing this school year, the senior high school leading to technical-vocational education.
Naval School of Fisheries, Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trade, Manlabang National High School, and Maripipi National Vocational School chose the tech-voc education track because they are better prepared in this field.
The Division Senior High School Coordinator said, once the new curriculum is fully implemented, DepEd will see to it that all the academic, technical-vocational, arts and design, and sports track will be offered in every municipality to cater to every student’s inclination.
Moreover, students who finish Grade 10 are given their certificate of completion while those who will graduate in Grade 12 are given their high school diploma.
DepEd will ensure that students who finish Grade 12 pass the competency assessment and get their NC-II certificate that proves their capability for employment, Amistoso added. # (fj/PIA8 Biliran)
