Senior high school students of Antique National School taking up Electrical Installation and Maintenance attend classes in this 2021 file photo. The 2025 budget makes it mandatory for SHS learners under the technical-vocational livelihood track to undergo free assessments for their national certifications in order to boost their employability. (PNA file photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
The 2025 national budget aims to bolster the employability of Senior High School (SHS) learners under the Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) track by continuing to fund free assessments for the issuance of National Certifications (NCs).
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced in a press statement on Saturday that a key feature of the budget is a special provision mandating free assessments for SHS-TVL learners. This is expected to improve certification rates and enhance their job readiness.
Gatchalian highlighted the allocation of ₱275.86 million in the 2025 budget to sustain the free assessment and certification program, in addition to unutilized funds from 2024. These funds are included in the Department of Education (DepEd) budget.
In 2024, ₱438.162 million was allocated for the program, but participation remained low as assessments were voluntary. Of the 1,039 SHS-TVL learners who participated, 926 were certified.
The original target for 2024 was to certify 420,967 graduates, but due to underutilization, it was later revised to 197,077.
“To address this gap, we pushed for a policy that makes assessment mandatory for SHS-TVL learners to ensure higher participation and certification rates,” Gatchalian said.
Boosting employment opportunities
National Certifications prove competency, making SHS-TVL graduates more competitive in the job market. Gatchalian emphasized that free and mandatory assessments would provide learners better access to employment opportunities.
“Patuloy nating pagsisikapang mabigyan sila ng libreng assessment para sa kanilang national certification. Maliban sa paglalaan ng pondo, isinulong din natin ang polisiya para maging mandatory sa mga mag-aaral ng TVL sa senior high school ang sumailalim sa assessment (We will continue our efforts to provide free assessments for their national certifications. Aside from funding, we have also pushed for a policy making assessments mandatory for SHS-TVL learners),” he said.
This initiative aligns with the government’s goal of strengthening the country’s workforce by equipping SHS-TVL learners with the skills and certifications required by industries.
By ensuring access to free assessments and implementing mandatory participation, the government hopes to maximize the potential of SHS-TVL graduates and address the growing demand for skilled workers.