Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expects improvements to the job readiness and employability of senior high school (SHS) graduates ahead of the impending implementation of the revised senior high school (SHS) curriculum.

The Department of Education (DepEd) recently announced that the revised SHS curriculum will roll out in phases starting school year (SY) 2025-2026. Core subjects under the new curriculum will be reduced from 15 to 5-7. 

Under the new curriculum, schools will also have the flexibility to offer electives, giving learners the freedom to choose subjects in which they can specialize.

Gatchalian, for his part, is pushing for the passage of the Batang Magaling Act (Senate Bill No. 2367), which seeks to enhance the work readiness of SHS graduates. Under the proposed measure, schools' curricular offerings and the SHS program's work immersion component will be aligned with market needs identified by industry partners and government agencies.

The Batang Magaling Act proposes the creation of a National Batang Magaling Council, which will strengthen the alignment between the SHS curriculum and industry needs. This council shall comprise the DepEd, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), three national industry partners, one national labor group, and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines. Local Batang Magaling Councils shall also be created at the municipal, city, and provincial levels.

To further boost the employability of SHS graduates, especially those under the technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) track, Gatchalian is also proposing through this legislation to make national competency assessments free for the issuance of national certifications (NCs).

Gatchalian succeeded in lobbying for the allocation of P275.86 million under the 2025 national budget for the free assessment and certification of SHS-TVL learners. Through the Batang Magaling Act, Gatchalian seeks to institutionalize these free assessments for SHS graduates.

“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 (It is important for us to fulfill the promise of the K to 12 program that its graduates will be job-ready. As we reform senior high school, it is crucial for students and their parents to see the benefits of this program for them, especially when it comes to finding good employment opportunities),” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.