A REPRESENTATIVE of the Asian Development Bank recommended some measures to improve employability of Senior High School graduates.

During discussions with the 2nd Congressional Commission on Education, Dr. Rosario Manasan presented her study on the labor market performance of the first SHS students who graduated in SY 2017-2018.

“On average, the employment rate of SHS graduates was 81.5%, in the six to twelve months after leaving school — much better than anticipated, and higher than that of post-secondary Technical-Vocational Education and Training graduates,” Manasan said.

“The quality of employment of SHS graduates appears to be superior relative to that of JHS graduates and slightly better than that of college undergraduates, as indicated by the proportion of salary workers to the total number employed,” she added.

Manasan said that the government should increase the number of hours of work immersion requirements of SHS TVL.

She added that the administration should also ensure that schools offering TVL track have teachers with appropriate specialization and required TVL equipment. She said that this is possible through stronger engagement between DepEd and the industries.

Manasan also saw the need to strengthen the teaching and learning of 21st century skills in SHS, particularly in TVL track to improve employability of SHS graduates

“The passing rate of SHS graduates in NC assessment is high – 91.4% on the average – but not all SHS-TVL graduates take the NC examination, many because of financial constraints,” Manasan said.