MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) said it has advanced reforms that improved school environments and strengthened system-level programs under Secretary Sonny Angara’s leadership, particularly in senior high school tracks, curriculum alignment, and work-readiness initiatives.

“Kasama sa paalala sa atin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagkakaroon ng education system na tunay na makatutulong sa mga kabataang Pilipino, isang sistemang maghahanda sa kanila sa susunod na yugto ng kanilang buhay, ang pagpasok sa mundo ng trabaho (Part of the reminders of President Marcos to the DepEd is to have an education system that can really help Filipino youth, a system that will prepare them in the next stage of their lives, their entry into the world of work),” Angara said in a statement on Wednesday.

With the recent ratification of the General Appropriations Bill by Congress on Dec. 29, Angara said the department will continue sustaining quality education initiatives in the coming year.

From learning to employment

DepEd launched the Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) Program to make the final years of basic education more responsive and relevant to learners’ transition from education to employment. The program streamlines the curriculum into two clear pathways: the Academic track and the Technical-Professional track.

The Work Immersion Program has also been expanded from 80 hours to between 320 and 640 hours for technical-professional learners, providing more hands-on workplace experience. DepEd plans to further enhance the curriculum and roll out the initiative on a broader scale next year.

DepEd will also continue offering free National Certification assessments in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). In 2025, the agencies supported more than 170,000 SHS-Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) learners.

Angara said the department will prioritize implementing the Philippine Qualifications Framework and the Philippine Skills Framework to ensure smoother transitions from education to employment.

Efficiency in the education system

Angara highlighted efforts to improve the efficiency of major education programs, ensuring they directly benefit teachers and learners. Under next year’s budget, classroom programs will allow local government units and private institutions to partner with DepEd in delivering modern, resilient school facilities.

The enhanced Adopt-a-School platform will enable more private partners, including individual donors, to participate in classroom construction. Targets for 2026 include 24,547 classrooms under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), 1,700 leased classrooms, 11,886 repaired classrooms, and 105,000 new classrooms through the Public School Infrastructure Program (PSIP).

DepEd will also leverage investments in technology and artificial intelligence, particularly through the launch of the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), the department’s hub for evidence-based policies and initiatives.

“Sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas ng ating mahal na Pangulo, mas lalo nating pagtitibayin ang sistema ng edukasyon upang makalikha ng mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga Kabataan (Under the New Philippines of our beloved President, we will further strengthen the education system to create more opportunities for our youth),” Angara said.