Senator Win Gatchalian is advocating for enhanced job readiness and employability among senior high school (SHS) graduates ahead of the expected implementation of the revised SHS curriculum.
The Department of Education (DepEd) recently announced that the revised SHS curriculum will be rolled out in phases starting in School Year 2025-2026. Under the new curriculum, the number of core subjects will be reduced from 15 to 5-7, and schools will be given more flexibility to offer electives, allowing students to specialize in areas of their choice.
Gatchalian is also pushing for the passage of the Batang Magaling Act (Senate Bill No. 2367), which aims to improve the work readiness of SHS graduates. The proposed bill seeks to align schools’ curricular offerings and the SHS work immersion component with the demands of industries, as identified by industry partners and government agencies.
One of the key provisions of the Batang Magaling Act is the creation of a National Batang Magaling Council, which will work to strengthen the connection between the SHS curriculum and industry needs. The council will include representatives from DepEd, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), industry partners, labor groups, and local authorities. Local Batang Magaling Councils will also be established at the municipal, city, and provincial levels.
In addition, Gatchalian is proposing through this legislation to make national competency assessments free for SHS graduates, particularly those in the technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) track. He successfully lobbied for P275.86 million in the 2025 national budget to cover the costs of free assessments and certifications for SHS-TVL learners. The Batang Magaling Act seeks to institutionalize this initiative.
“Mahalagang matupad natin ang pangako ng K to 12 na maging handa sa trabaho ang mga magtatapos nito. Ngayong nirereporma natin ang senior high school, mahalagang makita ng mga mag-aaral at ng kanilang mga magulang ang benepisyo ng programang ito para sa kanila, lalo na pagdating sa paghahanap ng magandang trabaho,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.