In the past few years, the Philippines has undergone a major shift in its educational structure. In the old system, students spent six years in grade school and four years in high school, totaling 10 years of schooling. The newly reformed structure added two more years to the students’ academic journey.
This is why it’s called K-12—K for Kindergarten and 12 for the new total of 12 years. Implementing the K-12 system allows students to specialize in areas that closely align with their interests and career goals.
In this article, we’ll discuss the K-12 system in-depth and provide tips on choosing the SHS strand that best suits you!
Understanding the K-12 System
Essentially, the K-12 system extends basic education in the Philippines. Students must now undergo two levels in high school to obtain a diploma: junior high (Grades 7-10) and senior high (Grades 11-12). The senior high school level adds two more years and offers students the opportunity to pursue one of four tracks, with each track catering to different interests, strengths, and career paths.
- Academic Track
The academic track focuses on subjects that prepare students for specific college degree programs. If you’re taking the academic track, you are most likely planning to pursue higher education after senior high school. This is where strands come in; you can only choose a strand for SHS if you’re on the academic track or the TVL track (more on that later).
There are four strands under the academic track:
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)
The HUMSS strand is ideal for students interested in the arts, communication, education, and social services. It tackles human behavior, cultures, and societies. If you’re passionate about understanding how the world and society work, HUMSS helps you think critically and address relevant issues. HUMSS graduates are well-positioned for roles in education, mass communication, political science, and other related fields.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
If you have a knack for technology and innovation, STEM is right for you. The STEM strand in the Philippines is designed to nurture the skills and knowledge of aspiring scientists, engineers, and tech professionals. This strand is for those who want to pursue engineering, medical courses, information technology, and the like.
- Accounting and Business Management (ABM)
If you love crunching numbers or are business-minded, ABM is the strand for you. The ABM strand prepares students for careers in finance, entrepreneurship, management, and marketing. ABM will help you become an entrepreneur, business leader, financial advisor, or accountant.
- General Academic Strand (GAS)
GAS is for students still undecided about their future careers and want to keep their choices open. This is perfect for those who prefer to be flexible and are jacks-of-all-trades. GAS allows students to learn various subjects from different strands, providing a holistic educational background that can lead to diverse professions.
- Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Track
The TVL track is your fast lane to employment after graduating from senior high school. If you want to work immediately after completing your schooling, the TVL track is right for you. TVL equips you with the skills necessary to be considered job-ready. This means you don’t need to go to college to be employable. The TVL track is ideal for those who prefer a more hands-on and practical approach. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) grants graduates with a TESDA National Certificate as proof of completion.
The strands under the TVL track include:
- Home Economics Strand
- Industrial Arts Strand
- Agri-Fishery Strand
- Information and Communications technology (ICT) Strand
- Arts and Design Track
Are you a talented artist or performer? The arts and design track allows you to hone your skills and creativity further. You’ll learn subjects related to dance, music, theater, media, visual arts, photography, and more while also building skills in communication, storytelling, and aesthetics. Potential career paths for the arts and design track include graphic designer, illustrator, animator, art director, stage performer, fashion designer, and multimedia artist. This track is ideal for those who want to turn their artistic passion into a rewarding profession.
- Sports Track
If you have incredible athleticism and sportsmanship, pursue the sports track. The sports track is for students who dream of careers in the fields of athletics, fitness, and recreation. If you want to become a PE teacher, game official, gym instructor, or athlete, this track is for you.
How to Choose the Right Senior High School Track
Selecting your track in senior high school is one of the biggest choices you will make at the start of your career. As early as senior high school, choosing a track can set the course of your future. But what if you feel like you chose wrong? Choosing the wrong track in senior high school is a challenging situation to be in, but there are ways to prepare yourself ahead of time to keep this from happening. If you are still unsure about your track, keep reading for some useful tips that will help you pick the right one for you!
- Start with what you love
Go over your own hobbies and passions. What do you like to do in your spare time? What are you most passionate about? Getting to know yourself more is a good way to start when picking out your strand. In doing so, you can avoid losing the fire that you will need to pursue your track as you go through senior high. Creative students who are fond of drawing and crafts may want to consider tracks like HUMSS or Arts and Design. Fond of videogames or handy with tech? TVL may be a great choice! Are you a fan of medical dramas or passionate about learning first aid in case of emergencies? STEM might be perfect for you!
- Play to your strengths
An SHS strand mismatch can also happen if you are having difficulty with your courses. It can be discouraging if you feel like you are underperforming in something you chose as a first step towards your career, so when in doubt, it may be best to play to your strengths. Go over which subjects you have done well in, and go from there! Did you enjoy studying film and literature and communicating your ideas in English class? HUMSS may be an option worth exploring! If you enjoyed lab experiments and exploring theories in Science class, then STEM may be your calling. If you want a strand that you can excel in, your favorite subjects in school are an excellent guide!
- Go over your goals
Whether you have an idea of which track you want to take or not, surely you have a career that you have always wanted to explore. Whether the job you are eyeing is a childhood dream or one you recently discovered, assessing the skills needed to turn that dream into a reality can very well give you direction. Avoid a strand mismatch in senior high school by choosing a track that can equip you with the skills necessary for your dream job and set yourself up for success in your field.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Even with all these tips in mind, you may still have difficulty deciding on a track you want to stick with. When in doubt, ask! Don’t be afraid to consult your peers, parents, and teachers regarding your options, as they may have an idea on what track suits you. Your teachers especially have watched you grow as a student, so they may be able to provide some insight into which subjects may suit you best. Keep an open mind and remember that no matter what anyone says, ultimately the decision is yours.
- Be realistic
Taking other things into consideration, like budget and schedule flexibility, are important factors to consider when choosing an SHS strand or track as well. A track like STEM may cost the same as other strands, but once you enter college, you would have to account for various requirements needed in technical courses like engineering and medicine. Some of these courses require further studies, which is an additional expense that should still be considered. Keep these factors in mind when choosing a strand that can guide you on your career path.
There’s Something for Every Student Here at OEd!
REMEMBER: The choice you make now will lead you to a career path that will shape your future. That’s the importance of choosing the right strand in senior high school. With OEd online education for senior high, you can exercise independence and time management with a blended learning system that allows you to further your studies online and even on the go. Make choices that let you live life the way you want it!
We offer all four strands under the academic track (STEM, ABM, HUMSS, and GAS) and the TVL track (TVL ICT). Inquire now to learn more about our program offerings!
