During the hearing of the crafting and Enhancement Basic Education Act of 2013, many Filipinos expressed opposition from both parents and educators/academes as well. Those who were against the proposed Act cited different reasons, from additional years of school years and additional expenses from the parents and readiness of the Department of Education as what are being pointed out by the educators/academe. With due recognition given to the valid reasons of the oppositions, the lawmakers see the urgency of amending the age-old education system of the Philippines for the students to cope up with the challenges of 21st century. Thus, the proposed Act was approved and enacted into law May of 2013.
The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 stipulates that two (2) more years in high school shall be added, hence the creation of senior high school. The Act is geared towards enhancing further the skills and knowledge of students for them to be well equipped in facing the challenges that lay ahead, whether in pursuing higher studies in college or in entering the very competitive employment field.
To ensure further that the objective would be met, DepEd included two (2) TRACKS in the curriculum; one the Academic Track which includes various Strands for those students who wants to pursue higher education in college and second, the Technical Vocational Livelihood Track for students that would opted to work or find job after senior high school. The very purpose of these Tracks is to further hone their interests and develop and enhance skills and knowledge of senior high school in their chosen field of interest for them to be ready, competent and equipped to confront the realities and challenges that lay ahead.
Furthermore, a Work Immersion Program was also conceptualized. Basically, it aims to expose the students to the harsh realities of environment in a workplace. This exposure also aims to develop and enhance the work ethics and habits of senior high school students. It would also serve as an assessment tool on the affectivity of the module designed for the purpose.
All Work Immersion Program exposures shall observe strict compliance of all Philippine Laws and other Guidelines and Orders issued by proper government agencies to ensure that the exposure program would protect the interest and welfare of the students engaged in Immersion Work Program.
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Advisory No.9- , students are allowed to immerse themselves in a workplace between 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day for a minimum of 80 hours or a maximum of 240 hours per term. Students below 15 years old need to have parent’s consent and shall be at the workplace for at most four hours a day.
- Department of Education, DepEd Order No. 30 series of 2017 – Guidelines for Work Immersion apply not only to both public and private senior high schools, but also to technical-vocational institutions offering the different academic strands.
- Republic Act 9231 “Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”
- Department of Labor and Employment DepEd Order No 149 – provides guidelines for assessing hazardous work areas for working students under 18 years old.
By: Mrs. Melanie I. Carlos | Teacher III | BATAAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SHS
