DepEd bolsters SHS work immersion
The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued new guidelines which strengthens work immersion, field exposure, and arts apprenticeship for Senior High School (SHS) students.
The guidelines, issued under DepEd Order No. 023, s. 2026, form part of the Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum and aim to make practical learning more relevant to learners' chosen pathways, while ensuring their safety and well-being.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that work immersion should provide meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for their next steps after graduation.
The policy initiative follows the nationwide success of the 2026 National Work Immersion Fair, where industry partners pledged over 55,000 work immersion slots nationwide, surpassing DepEd’s target.
Under the guidelines, Work Immersion is mandatory for learners under the Technical-Professional Track, with schools implementing either a 320-hour one-term model or a 540- to 640-hour two-term model, depending on school readiness, industry capacity, and learner needs.
For Academic Track learners, Work Immersion remains optional, allowing those interested in deeper workplace experience to undertake a 320-hour program after completing the required prerequisite electives.
Academic Track learners may also take an 80-hour Field Exposure elective, which includes workplace visits, guided observations, and opportunities to explore possible career pathways.
Meanwhile, Arts Apprenticeship offers learners interested in creative fields guided training and mentorship in areas such as visual arts, media arts, performing arts, literary arts, and traditional cultural expressions.
Beyond expanding practical learning opportunities, the guidelines establish stronger measures to protect learners during their workplace experience.
Schools must assess and screen partner institutions, formalize agreements, prepare training plans aligned with learners' chosen subjects, and orient students and parents on workplace expectations, safety protocols, and learner rights.
Learners must not be assigned tasks unrelated to their learning objectives or used as free labor. Work immersion activities must not exceed eight hours per day and five days per week, with schools required to conduct regular monitoring and weekly Kumustahan sessions to check learners' progress, safety, and well-being.
To expand access to workplace learning, DepEd is also encouraging schools to establish partnerships not only with private industries but also with local government units, national government agencies, and other public institutions that can provide relevant training opportunities.
For qualified TechPro learners, the guidelines also provide a pathway to TESDA-registered Enterprise-Based Education and Training programs, where workplace learning may be aligned with competency standards and applicable certification requirements.
The policy further recognizes work immersion coordination and learner monitoring as part of teachers' instructional responsibilities, subject to existing workload and compensation rules.
The guidelines will apply to public and private SSHS pilot implementers beginning school year 2026-2027, with implementation in non-pilot Senior High Schools beginning school year 2027 onward.