Quezon city: Senior High School technical-vocational programs will move from a static to a data-driven curriculum to better match industry needs, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Thursday. The DepEd made the statement following the National Tech-Voc Summit in Quezon City on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Education Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan stated that the shift will entail the use of a responsive model aligned with economic changes. He emphasized the importance of teaching based on actual industry needs, both current and future. For the SHS-tech-voc curriculum to be data-driven, DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) Director Peter Marc Magsalin highlighted the necessity for close collaboration with industry stakeholders, emphasizing that industry participation is crucial in strengthening the school-to-work transition pipeline.
Magsalin also stressed the importance of ongoing coordination to ensure a smooth transition from school to work, and aligning sectoral expertise with global labor trends to keep the curriculum responsive to the future of work. He noted the significance of acknowledging industry challenges and implementation constraints, advocating for transparency to find innovative solutions.
During the National Tech-Voc Summit, discussions between education leaders and industry partners focused on key areas such as workforce development scaling through the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Law, curriculum alignment with global labor trends, and the use of private sector data for curriculum guidance. The summit also addressed enhancing SHS industry immersions and benchmarking best practices.
Plenary sessions revealed that industry participation can accelerate curriculum updates, enhance training, and expand quality work immersions, offering tech-voc graduates opportunities for productive employment rather than serving as a fallback option. Private sector leaders identified market signals that necessitate quicker curriculum adjustments, particularly in sectors impacted by automation, digitalization, and global demand shifts. Once timely data are available, the DepEd can align the curriculum and focus investments on necessary training.
