ONLY four out of ten Filipinos are satisfied with senior high school, according to a Pulse Asia survey.
Based on the results of a survey commissioned by Senator Win Gatchalian and conducted from June 19 to 23, 2023, only 41% of the 1,200 participants nationwide said they were satisfied with senior high school. Those who are not satisfied are slightly higher or 42% while 16% are not sure if they are satisfied or not.
For Gatchalian, the results of the survey reflect the failure of the program to live up to its promise of making youth college and job ready. According to a 2020 discussion paper by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), only 20% of senior high school graduates enter the labor force, while 70% continue their education. The PIDS study also revealed that when it comes to basic pay, there is almost no difference between senior high school graduates when compared to graduates of two years of college or Grade 10.
According to the survey, more of Class D (44%) and E (44%) are not satisfied with the senior high school program. It turns out that only 38% and 42% from Class D and E are satisfied with senior high school. In classes ABC, 57% are satisfied, while 27% are not satisfied.
“We have added two years to high school, but for our parents, it is only an additional cost. Our citizens are not satisfied with the senior high school because they do not see the benefits of this program,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of Senate Committee on Basic Education.
In different parts of the country, the level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with senior high school varies. In Metro Manila there is the most dissatisfaction, (53%), while only 31% are satisfied with the program.
More people in Luzon are satisfied (43%) than dissatisfied (35%) in senior high school. In Visayas, both 42% are satisfied and dissatisfied with the program. In Mindanao, almost half (49%) of the participants are not satisfied with senior high school, while 42% are satisfied.
To address the skills mismatch of senior high school graduates and the needs of the labor market, Gatchalian filed the Batang Magaling Act (Senate Bill No. 2022). The bill seeks to strengthen the relationship between the Department of Education (DepEd), local government units, schools, and industry partners.
