The current Philippine Education System is developed by the implementation of K-12 Program other known as Republic Act 10533 in 2013, an “Act enhancing the Philippine Basic Education system by strengthening its curriculum and increasing the number of years for Basic Education” under the administration of the former President Benigno Aquino III. Hence, the students must go through two divisions in high school, the junior high school (Grades 7-10) and the senior high school (Grades 11-12). Junior High School has “Moving –Up” for completion of the first cut and for the second cut, the Senior High School that would be the full-pledged accomplishment of K-12 Curriculum to earn a diploma. Grade 10 finishers earn a certification by the end of the program but aren’t legitimate grads unless they study and pass the senior high school track courses.
Under the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, senior high school (SHS) students must pick among four tracks. Upon enrollment in SHS, they must choose from the following tracks.
- Academic Track
This track appeals to those who have set their minds towards college education. Divided into degree-specific courses, the Academic track in senior high school aims to prepare students to more advanced university courses. Under this umbrella are four strands.
- Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM)
- General Academic Strand(GAS)
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMMS)
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Track
It calls out to eligible students with subjects focused on job-ready skills. Besides, it offers practical knowledge with matching certificates to help students land their desired job after they graduate from SHS. Under the senior high school tech-voc track are the following strands.
- Agri-Fishery Arts
- Home Economics
- Industrial Arts
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Sports Track
Developed to equip SHS students with sports-related and physical fitness and safety knowledge, this track appeals to those who wish to venture into athletics, fitness, and recreational industries.
- Arts and Design Track
Inside this course, students with a penchant for the Arts can enroll in subjects that will hone their skills in visual design and the performing arts.
With each track leading to a different direction, addressing to the incoming senior high school students, how do you choose the one that’s most suitable to your personality and goals? Below are important road markers to help you tell which track will bring you to your target job destination.Here are the Steps to Guide SHSin Picking a Track.
- Be sure of your personality and life goals.
You must have a vivid picture of your personality to pick a track to match your taste and experience. Per John Holland, six primary personalities exist and each one has a compatible career path.
- Realistic typesare doers who match hands-on work such as mechanics and carpentry. They’ll find the TVL track the most applicable to them.
- Investigative peopleare thinkers who excel in theory-heavy jobs such as law and medicine. Based on their character, they favor the STEM strand of the Academic track.
- Artistic typesuse their imagination to create, so they fit like a glove in the Arts and Design track. Yet, other artists who love to perform fit the senior high sports track.
- Social onesare helpers who love to work with people. They fit well in jobs such as coaching, teaching, and counseling, so either the GA or HUMMS strand of the Academic track is the best choice for them.
- Enterprising typesare persuaders who take risks and want to influence others. In particular, they fit the likes of politicians and entrepreneurs. Hence, they should take the Academic track and focus on the ABM strand.
- Conventional kindsare orderly folks who find joy in keeping structure and order. Accountants, programmers, and editors are the perfect jobs for this personality. Thus, the Academic and TVL track, that is the ICT strand, match their persona.
- Do your research
The internet is rich with updated info about the K-12 curriculum. In fact, you’ll find many sources that can help you make the choice from the course content or outline for each track. Other sources offer personality tests to help with self-assessment.
Aside from reading on your own, student could interview career people relevant to your chosen track. This way, you gather honest and practical insight to provide you with better judgments.
- Analyze the subjects included in each course
After creating a shortlist of some strands or tracks from the senior high school curriculum, you must dive deeper into each track’s core. Are you looking forward to study the subjects listed under your chose track? However, if you do not see yourself taking its prescribed subjects, take a step back and select other tracks with subjects to suit your liking.
- Check schools nearby that offer your chosen track
Once you’ve set your mind, find out schools nearby that offer the program. Schools in the Philippines adopted the SHS program since 2016, so you need not look far to find the right one for you.
Students get support from DepEd through vouchers for JHS finishers to help them enroll in the most ideal senior high school track. These checks, though, are usable even in specialty schools as long as they adhere to the senior high school curriculum required by the government. As a result, SHS students relish in the opportunity to pursue innovative courses such as animation and ICT, which were otherwise non-existent in the old curriculum.
Riding the Right “Train of Thought” towards Success in Senior High
Your senior high school track directs you towards reaching your goals, so make sure you pick a program that’s most useful to your skills and interests. Further, when you mix self-mastery and ample research, you reach the most fruitful choice for your senior high school studies. Therefore, heed these tips that will guide you to the right path towards your dream career.
By: Mrs. Melanie I. Carlos | Teacher III | BATAAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SHS
