The heavy load of Senior High students

BASED on the new curriculum of K to 12 of the Department of Education (DepEd), all senior high school students are to observe the curriculum of academic and tech-voc strands composed of Stem strand: Biology 2, General Chemistry and Physics 2 and all strands composed of Research and Entrepreneurship. Work immersion follows which requires a resume, barangay clearance, various certificates and a 4-hour work per day for a total of 145 hours.

Students are required to submit theses, do research and interviews float questionnaires and face a panel of competent faculty. If the defense is satisfactory, they are qualified to graduate, if not, the failing students take up summer/make up classes until they qualify for graduation.

At the Mabalacat City College last October 6, parents and students converged where they were briefed by Mr. Eduard DC Ramos, Supervising Head,Senior High School Department regarding the parents' obligations (financial and otherwise) and the students' concerns on the requirements to be complied with.

The school schedule of the students is indeed heavy, a far cry from that observed by students a decade ago. It is hectic yet productive and is designed to meet the challenges of a technology-oriented mode of instruction, in keeping with the standard of our Asean neighbors.

The new approach to education is indeed challenging and provocative even as the students is made to employ full use of his analytical abilities and is equipped with skills that could prepare him to employment enterpreneurship and future gainful ventures.

Economist Cielito Habito, columnist of Philippine Daily Inquirer writes: "Particularly destabilizing is the speed by which technological change is happening to the extent that students choosing their intended careers today on the basis of current demands could face a totally different labor market by the time they graduate."

The Mabalacat City College, Santos Ventura National High School Mabalacat Tech-Voc, Mabalacat National High School, Madapdap Resettlement National High School, Sapang Biabas Resettlement National High School and private schools in the city offer senior high school courses. SunStar Pampanga

~ PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa We will call the PDEA to report that there is illegal drugs transaction here. We cannot conduct operations but when a crime is being committed before your presence you have to act on it, arrest them and endorse it to PDEA.