A potential problem for K-12 in the Philippines: differences in the employability of senior high school and college graduates
Date
2020-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The K-12 program’s original goals were to have work-ready graduates able to find jobs without needing a college diploma/degree. The program supposedly would increase the work qualifications of senior high school (SHS) graduates. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the new program on the employability of such individuals. A survey was conducted for Manufacturing and Retail/Wholesale/Shopping firms in order to assess the firms’ demand for and opinions on SHS graduates. Results show that firms do indeed have demand for these graduates, but this is no different from the demand for the previous batch of high school graduates. Only low-level jobs were available to the SHS graduates, mainly due to the lack of information about the graduates’ abilities. This study also applies a Logit Regression Model using the Labor Force Surveys for 2017 and 2018, which include the first two batches of SHS graduates. This empirical analysis mainly shows that college graduates generally have a higher probability of being employed than SHS graduates, except when we factor in age. Firms are willing to hire more SHS graduates; however, they may be considered too young for the jobs they offer. Overall, the results indicate that SHS graduates need to be marketed more for the skills and capabilities they have to be employed more readily by firms.
Description
Keywords
Senior high school, K to 12, Basic Education, Labor Market, College, Employment, Employment Rates, Employability, Skills