PASIG CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued new guidelines to safeguard Senior High School (SHS) students during work immersion, prohibiting partner institutions from utilizing learners as free labor or assigning tasks outside their educational objectives.
Under DepEd Order No. 023, s. 2026, schools are mandated to thoroughly vet partner establishments, monitor workplace activities, and guarantee that training corresponds with the students’ chosen academic and technical tracks.
The policy restricts daily immersion hours to a maximum of eight hours a day, five days a week. Additionally, educational institutions must conduct weekly “Kumustahan” sessions to evaluate student progress, safety, and general well-being.
Prior to deployment, schools are required to secure formal agreements with partners, draft detailed training plans, and brief both parents and learners on workplace safety protocols and student rights.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara emphasized that the program is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Track-Specific Requirements and Hours
The policy governs work immersion, field exposure, and arts apprenticeships under the Strengthened Senior High School (SSHS) Curriculum:
- Technical-Professional (TechPro) Track: Work immersion is mandatory, with implementation options ranging from a 320-hour single-term program to a 540- to 640-hour two-term program, depending on school capacity and industry readiness.
- Academic Track: Work immersion is optional. Students who complete prerequisite electives may undertake a 320-hour program or enroll in an 80-hour Field Exposure elective focused on guided observations and career exploration.
- Arts Apprenticeship: Offers specialized mentorship across visual, media, performing, and literary arts, as well as traditional cultural expressions.
To support the rollout, DepEd reported that industry partners pledged over 55,000 nationwide work immersion slots during the 2026 National Work Immersion Fair.
“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,” Angara noted.
The agency also encouraged schools to collaborate with local government units, national agencies, and private sectors to broaden training opportunities. Furthermore, the framework recognizes teacher coordination and student monitoring as formal instructional duties subject to existing workload guidelines.
The updated policy takes effect for public and private SSHS pilot implementers starting in School Year 2026–2027, followed by a nationwide rollout for non-pilot schools in SY 2027.