DepEd issues stronger work immersion guidelines for SHS students

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The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said that it was strengthening its work immersion program for senior high school students by issuing renewed guidelines.

This comes as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded a lower youth employment rate in September 2026. Many young workers have also reported that it was harder to look for more work.

“Ang work immersion ang makakapaghanda sa ating mga mag-aaral para mas maging job-ready sila, kaya mas malaki ang chance na agad makahanap ng trabaho ang graduates ng Grade 12,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

(Work immersion prepares our students to be job-ready so there is a bigger chance for Grade 12 graduates to look for work.)

“May mga kausap na tayong partners sa industriya para sa mga guaranteed placement sa kanilang work immersion. Based on experience, the chances of employment are higher when they undergo a longer immersion period with the company or organization,” he added.

(We are speaking with partners in the industry so that there is guaranteed placement in their work immersion. Based on experience, the chances of employment are higher when they undergo a longer immersion period with the company or organization.)

DepEd Order No. 023, s. 2026 forms part of the Strengthened Senior High School (SSHS) Curriculum, and it aims to make practical learning more relevant to a learner’s chosen industry. Under the guidelines, work immersion is mandatory in the Technical-Professional (TechPro) Track.

TechPro students are required to undergo either a 320-hour one-term model or a 540- to 640-hour two-term model, depending on the school’s capacity.

Work immersion for learners in the Academic Track is still optional. Those who are interested, however, are allowed to undertake a 320-hour program after they complete their prerequisite electives.

Academic Track students may also take an 80-hour Field Exposure elective to explore possible career paths.

Arts Apprenticeship also allows students interested in creative fields to explore visual arts, media arts, performing arts, and more.

According to the DepEd, schools must assess and screen partner institutions and formalize agreements. Students must not be assigned tasks for free labor.

The work immersion activities must not surpass eight hours a day per day and five days a week, with the school being required to have regular check-in sessions with the students.

Aside from private companies, schools are also urged to partner with government units and agencies.

DepEd said that the guidelines will apply to public and private SSHS pilot implementers starting in the school year 2026-2027. The remaining senior high schools will implement the guidelines starting in 2027. —LDF, GMA News