EDRIAN LUIZ N. MARIANO
12-TENNYSON
EAPP
POSITION PAPER
RETHINKING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: A CALL FOR FLEXIBILITY
INTRODUCTION
Education should be a gateway to opportunities, not a roadblock. While the K-12 program aims to
improve the Philippine education system, making Senior High School (SHS) mandatory has placed
financial burdens on families and delayed students from entering the workforce. For many, two extra years
in school are unnecessary and only exacerbate economic struggles (Asian Development Bank [ADB], 2023).
By making SHS optional, the government can reduce financial strain, strengthen the workforce, and
support alternative education pathways. Not all students thrive in an academic setting some excel in
vocational training, entrepreneurship, or hands-on work. Giving Filipino youth the choice to pursue their
ideal educational path fosters a more capable and self-sufficient society.
ARGUMENT 1: REDUCING FINANCIAL BURDEN ON FAMILIES
The additional expenses of SHS make education a privilege instead of a right for many low-income families
(ADB, 2023).
1. Higher dropout rates – Many students leave school after Grade 10 because their families cannot
afford tuition, transportation, and supplies (Department of Education [DepEd], 2022).
2. Rise in child labor – Some students are forced into work, including illegal jobs, to help their
families survive rather than wait two years before earning (Philippine Institute for Development Studies
[PIDS], 2021).
3. Limited access to education – Families struggling to meet daily needs prioritize survival over
education, making mandatory SHS an additional hardship (ADB, 2023).
By making SHS optional, students from low-income families can choose to work or pursue vocational
training, ensuring education remains accessible to all rather than a privilege for the financially stable.
ARGUMENT 2: STRENGTHENING THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY
The Philippine economy requires workers, yet SHS delays students from entering industries that
urgently need skilled labor (National Economic and Development Authority [NEDA], 2022).
1. Labor shortages in key sectors – The construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries lack
skilled workers due to extended schooling requirements (Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE],
2023).
2. Delayed employment opportunities – Many students do not proceed to college after SHS. Instead
of spending two additional years in school, they could be earning and contributing to their families and the
economy (PIDS, 2021).
3. Boosting economic productivity – Allowing students to enter the workforce earlier would increase
productivity, strengthen industries, and drive economic growth (NEDA, 2022).
Rather than holding back young Filipinos, making SHS optional would empower them to contribute
to economic progress while securing their own financial stability.
ARGUMENT 3: PROMOTING VOCATIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
Not all students are suited for traditional classroom learning. Many excel in technical skills, business,
or trades, but mandatory SHS delays or restricts these opportunities (Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority [TESDA], 2022).
1. Expanding vocational training access – Students could immediately enroll in TESDA programs,
focusing on skills that align with their career goals (TESDA, 2022).
2. Encouraging youth entrepreneurship – Many young Filipinos start businesses early. Skipping
SHS would allow them to build enterprises and gain financial independence sooner (Department of Trade
and Industry [DTI], 2023).
3. Catering to diverse skills and interests – Some students are naturally inclined toward
apprenticeships, farming, or trades rather than academic subjects. Mandatory SHS forces them into a system
that does not suit their strengths (PIDS, 2021).
Making SHS optional enables students to pursue careers that match their abilities and ambitions,
creating a more skilled and diverse workforce.
CONCLUSION
Mandatory SHS creates financial hardships, delays workforce entry, and limits career flexibility.
Making it optional would ease economic burdens, strengthen industries, and empower students to follow
paths suited to their strengths. The government should prioritize choice over obligation, ensuring education
remains a tool for success rather than a barrier.
REFERENCES
ARGUMENT 1: REDUCING FINANCIAL BURDEN ON FAMILIES
1. SHS increases dropout rates: ADB Report
2. Financial pressure leads to child labor: ADB Project Report
3. Education becomes a privilege: PIDS Study
ARGUMENT 2: STRENGTHENING THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY
1. Industries need workers now: ADB Youth Labor Report
2. Delayed employment leads to wasted potential: ADB Implementation Report
3. Economic growth through workforce expansion: ADB Project Brief
ARGUMENT 3: PROMOTING VOCATIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
1. More vocational and technical opportunities: ADB Education Support
2. Encouraging entrepreneurship: PIDS Study
3. Better alignment with students’ skills: NEDA Development Plan