With the Department of Education (DepEd) set to pilot the revised Senior High School (SHS) curriculum in over 800 schools nationwide this coming School Year 2025–2026, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) has raised concerns over the government’s priorities and lack of preparedness for the rollout.

“While we acknowledge the efforts of the DepEd to improve the SHS curriculum, we must voice the growing concern among our teachers who are being asked to implement major changes without sufficient preparation. Barely two weeks before the pilot run, many are still without the necessary materials and have not undergone adequate training. This places unnecessary pressure on teachers and school heads and may compromise the quality of instruction,” said Benjo Basas, a Caloocan City senior high school teacher and the group’s national chairperson.

Basas expressed alarm over reports from teachers who have yet to receive training or materials for the new curriculum, which is scheduled to begin next month. He warned that pushing forward with the pilot without ensuring teacher readiness could severely impact the quality of instruction.

DepEd earlier announced that 841 public and private schools, both urban and rural were selected to participate in the pilot run of the newly revised SHS curriculum, which will begin with the opening of classes on June 16.

Basas, who teaches Social Sciences, acknowledged the inclusion of Philippine History as one of the core subjects in the revised curriculum, a long-time advocacy of the TDC. He, however, emphasized that while curriculum reform is important, it should not be treated as the central solution to the long-standing problems in the education system.

“Curriculum revision is only one aspect of reform. It cannot be the centerpiece of SHS or basic education reform. We urge the government to prioritize more pressing and foundational issues such as addressing shortages in classrooms and learning resources, ensuring just compensation and welfare for teachers, creating an environment conducive to teaching and learning, and improving the overall efficiency in the use of public education funds. Above all, the state must fulfill its constitutional mandate to provide adequate funding for the education sector.”

The TDC warned that implementing a new curriculum without resolving systemic issues would result in shallow, cosmetic changes.

“To strengthen the SHS program, we must begin by strengthening the ground where education takes place, not merely reshuffling what is written on paper,” Basas concluded.

The TDC has long advocated for improved working conditions for teachers and increased investments in basic education infrastructure. The group reiterated its call for meaningful dialogue between the DepEd and frontline educators to ensure that reforms are grounded in classroom realities. #

For details:

Benjo Basas, National Chairperson

09273356375