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Nomination of Potential Pilot Schools for the Strengthened Senior High School Program

The Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing for the pilot implementation of the Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) Program for School Year (SY) 2025-2026, specifically for Grade 11 learners. To ensure that this crucial educational reform is implemented effectively, DepEd has issued a set of guidelines for the Nomination of Potential Pilot Schools. This process aims to identify schools that are equipped to implement the new curriculum while also helping refine teaching strategies and identify challenges ahead of a full-scale national rollout.

The Importance of Pilot Schools

The goal of the pilot implementation is to establish best practices, address challenges early, and fine-tune the program before it reaches a broader audience. For this reason, it is vital that selected pilot schools have the necessary resources, teaching staff, and community engagement to successfully run the strengthened SHS curriculum. The process of selecting these schools is comprehensive, involving collaboration among Regional Offices (ROs), Schools Division Offices (SDOs), and school heads.

This post will provide a detailed overview of the process, the necessary steps for schools, and how the selection process will unfold.

Nomination Process: A Four-Phase Approach

Phase 1: Communicating the Reform and Confirming Interest

Duration: 1 day
Key Stakeholders: ROs, SDOs, Schools

In this first phase, Regional Offices (ROs) will disseminate key information regarding the SHS reforms to Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and schools. The aim is to ensure a consistent understanding of the reforms and subject offerings. Schools will then express their interest in participating based on the reforms presented.

Action Steps:

  • ROs and SDOs will organize information sessions and orientations using official materials.

  • Schools will confirm their interest in participating based on an initial presentation of key features.

  • Schools that are not interested in participating will not be required to continue the next steps.

Phase 2: Initial Planning Based on Teaching Complement and Learning Resources

Duration: 1 day
Key Stakeholders: School Heads, Teachers

During this phase, school heads will assess the availability of qualified teachers and learning resources required to implement the curriculum. The schools will also identify industry partners for work immersion, especially for TechPro electives.

Action Steps:

  • School heads will inventory available teachers and assess whether they are qualified to handle elective subjects.

  • Schools will prepare their updated Plan of Study based on available teachers and resources, including elective offerings.

  • Schools are encouraged to refer to their existing records, such as the eSF7, to avoid duplication of data collection efforts.

Phase 3: Guiding Learners in Preparing Their Plan of Study

Duration: 5 days
Key Stakeholders: Schools, Parents, Learners

This phase focuses on guiding learners in preparing their Plan of Study, a critical component of the Landas Toolkit. The plan helps students align their academic and career interests with available electives and educational tracks.

Action Steps:

  • Schools will conduct orientations for parents and learners on the key features of the SHS program.

  • Learners will have three sessions to complete their individual plans using resources like the Course Catalog of Electives and Career/Elective Maps.

  • Schools will summarize the learner preferences and draft the final list of SHS subjects, including a class program for Grade 11 and a teachers' workload.

Phase 4: Selecting and Endorsing Recommended Pilot Schools

Duration: 2 days
Key Stakeholders: School Heads, ROs, SDOs

In the final phase, school heads will submit detailed reports to the ROs, which will review the schools' preparedness and readiness to implement the Strengthened SHS Program.

Action Steps:

  • School heads submit a report outlining the planning process, finalized list of SHS subjects, draft class program, and any concerns or feedback.

  • The Regional Offices will assess the reports using a specific rubric based on the diversity of electives offered, the sufficiency of qualified teachers, and the availability of facilities and learning resources.

Evaluation Criteria for Pilot Schools

The selection process is based on a detailed evaluation rubric that considers three main factors:

1. Diversity of Electives Offering (30% of the score)

Schools will be assessed on how many different electives they can offer across academic and technical-vocational tracks. Schools that offer electives in multiple subject clusters and provide both academic and TechPro electives will score higher.

2. Sufficiency of Teachers (40% of the score)

Schools will be evaluated on whether they have enough qualified teachers, particularly for TechPro electives. Teachers must have the necessary certifications, and the school should not have teacher overloads.

3. Availability of Facilities and Learning Resources (30% of the score)

Schools that can provide adequate facilities and learning resources for their electives will score better. Limited or inadequate resources will lower a school's score.

Each of these criteria is weighted, and schools are rated on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.

Submission Timeline and Requirements

The timeline for submitting nominations for potential pilot schools runs from April 4 to April 18, 2025. All nominations must be submitted using the designated forms provided by DepEd. Late submissions or those made via any other channel will not be considered.

Key Dates:

  • Nomination Period: April 4 to April 18, 2025

  • Submission Deadline: April 18, 2025 (End of Day)

Schools and regional offices must adhere strictly to the deadlines and submission guidelines. This ensures the timely processing and selection of pilot schools.

How to Nominate Schools

Schools that meet the criteria and wish to participate in the pilot must be nominated through their respective Regional Offices (ROs). Each region has its own nomination form that can be accessed via the links provided by DepEd. It's important to note that only one representative per region will have access to these forms to maintain security and consistency.

Nomination Form Links by Region:

Important Note: Only submissions through these forms will be accepted. Any deviations or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Conclusion

The Strengthened Senior High School program is a vital step toward improving the quality of education in the Philippines. By carefully selecting pilot schools based on a clear and structured process, DepEd ensures that the new curriculum will be successfully implemented, refined, and optimized for all learners. Schools interested in being part of this reform should act quickly, prepare thoroughly, and submit their nominations by April 18, 2025. With clear guidelines and transparent processes, this initiative promises to better equip our youth for the future.

For further questions or clarifications, the Regional Offices or the Office of the Secretary may be contacted.

This blog post is designed to guide schools, educators, and stakeholders through the complex process of nominating potential pilot schools for the Strengthened Senior High School Program, ensuring that schools are well-prepared to implement this educational reform effectively.


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