The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) today called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that the ongoing Senior High School (SHS) curriculum review genuinely serves the Filipino people’s interests rather than catering primarily to private business demands.
“We strongly urge DepEd to conduct democratic consultations with education stakeholders, particularly teachers, students, and parents, instead of primarily listening to private sector recommendations. The SHS curriculum should be anchored on developing our basic sectors and national industries, not on serving foreign interests and big corporations,” stated ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua.
“Ang kailangan natin ay kurikulum na magsisilbi sa pangangailangan ng ating mga komunidad at sa pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya. Hindi pwedeng ang batayan ay kung ano ang gusto ng malalaking negosyo at dayuhang korporasyon,” Quetua emphasized.
The teachers’ leader pointed out that the current SHS tracks and strands appear to be disconnected from local community needs and national development goals. “What we need are subjects and competencies that will help develop our agriculture, basic industries, and essential services. Kailangan ng mga asignatura at kasanayan na direktang makatutulong sa ating mga magsasaka, manggagawa, at iba pang basic sectors ng ating lipunan.”
“Democratic consultation should be at the heart of curriculum development. Hindi pwedeng palaging ang interes ng pribadong sektor ang nasa unahan. Teachers, students, parents, and community stakeholders must have a meaningful voice in shaping our education policies,” Quetua concluded.#
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