Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte invited on Wednesday the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to join in the ongoing review of the Senior High School (SHS) Curriculum.

Duterte made the invitation in her keynote speech during the 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Hotel.

She said PCCI can help increase the employability of SHS graduates in the country.

“I would like to take this opportunity to invite the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and all its members to participate in the review and provide valuable insights on sales matching in order to boost employability of our graduates,” Duterte said.

“We need all the help that we can get from the experts, from you. Today’s learners grow up in a digital era and it is critical that we adapt our teaching to the methodologies that should prepare them for the future,” she added.

In the National Tracer Study of the SHS graduates for SY 2017-2018, the Department of Education (DepEd) noted that about 10 percent of graduate respondents were employed and 7 percent of which have completed the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track, while 3 percent completed the academic track.

The study also showed that nearly 83 percent of the SHS graduates went on to pursue higher education while 1 percent engaged in entrepreneurship.

The DepEd noted that only a small proportion of SHS graduates or a little over 20 percent were able to enter the labor force with the majority of more than 70 percent opting to continue with their education.

Duterte said the DepEd’s initiative to improve the basic education requires a whole-of-the-nation approach to create a future for every Filipino child who has the opportunity to succeed.

“It involves unwavering collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Together, we will produce future leaders… and innovators that are capable of meeting the demands of the fast-changing job market. Together, we will work to improve the Philippine education landscape one learner at a time,” she said.

During the 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo last year which she also attended, Duterte appealed to the business sector to dismiss the “diploma mentality” and hire K-12 graduates so they can start earning, contribute to their families, and become valuable assets for nation-building.

Last May, the DepEd created the SHS National Task Force (NTF) which is currently conducting a review of the SHS curriculum.

The SHS NTF is also expected to collaborate with partners in conducting studies relevant to the improvement of the SHS program and is set to submit its accomplishments and outputs next year. (PNA)