WORK IMMERSION

AS ONE OF THE
SALIENT FEATURES
IN K12 CURRICULUM

Submitted by:

Emmanuel Raamah O. Gabule

12-Kostka

Submitted to:

Maam Maricar Obsioma

Introduction

With the K12 Curriculum, there are various new subjects and programs applied. One
highlight of these programs is the work immersion program. The work immersion program is an
activity which enables grade 12 students to be immersed into the working environment, which
differs through the track and strand chosen. It gives the grade 12 students a legitimate simulation
of the feeling and the experience of the working environment. It prepares the grade 12 students
for their future endeavours in life. It will possibly help the students ease into the transition from
the student life into the working life.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has formulated guidelines for work immersion as
basis for the implementation of the work immersion program in all Senior High Schools. For the
students’ safety, DOLE issued a Labor Advisory 08, Series of 2016. This is the Protection of
Senior High School Students on K to 12 Work Immersion Program. It states that (1) work
immersion shall be allowed only between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (2) Students below 15 years
old shall not work for longer than 4 hours in any given day, with parental consent. (3) Work
immersion shall in no case result to the replacement of or diminution of benefits of the workers in
the partner enterprise/company.

Rationale

One of the goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program is to develop in learners the
competencies, work ethic, and values relevant to pursuing further education and/or joining the
world of work. To achieve greater congruence between basic education and the nation’s
development targets, Work Immersion, a required subject, has been incorporated into the
curriculum. This subject will provide learners with opportunities:

1. to become familiar with the work place;

2. for employment simulation; and
3. to apply their competencies in areas of specialization/applied subjects in authentic work
environments.

To achieve the above objectives, Work Immersion is thus a requirement for graduation from
secondary education. Learners are immersed in actual work environments such as workshops
offices and laboratories in which their prior training is relevant. Other possible venues for work
immersion are listed in Annex B.

Scope

These guidelines shall apply to all Senior High School learners in the following institutions:

1. DepEd Senior High Schools

2. Private Senior High Schools
3. Senior High Schools run by state colleges and universities,
and local universities and colleges
4. Technical-Vocational Institutions

Objectives
 Work immersion will help develop among the learners life and career skills, and will
prepare them to make decisions on postsecondaiy education or employment. Through
partnership building, DepEd hopes that the Partner Institutions will provide learners with work
immersion opportunities, workplace or hands-on experience, and additional learning resources.
It aims to make the learners:

1. appreciate the importance and application of the principles and theories learned in school;
2. enhance their technical knowledge and skills;
3. enrich their skills in communications and human relations; and
4. develop good work habits, attitudes, appreciation and respect for work.

By the time learners reach Senior High School, they would have already acquired almost
all the competencies and skills that would prepare them for the curriculum exits (higher education,
employment, middle-skills development, and entrepreneurship). Work immersion provides them
with an avenue to test them and apply what they have learned in a non-school scenario. In work
immersion, learners are not only able to apply their previous training but are also able to
experience the social interactions in a work environment. Their experiences during work
immersion will develop many skills and values that would help them as they transition from high
school to real life.

To assure the achievement of the above objectives of Work Immersion, this policy serves
to guide schools in:

1. creating flexible work immersion arrangements for their learners;

2. providing options for work immersion that are relevant to learners’ purposes and needs;
3. organizing work immersion opportunities for learners that are consistent with the diverse
human resource requirements of partner institutions for work immersion; and
4. articulating the scope and limits of work immersion in the context of basic education when
building relationships with work immersion partners.

Reflection

Before entering senior high school I was always wondering what is really in senior high
school and what is it all about. I was so curios on what will be the subjects we upcoming senior
high school students will take. It got clearer for me it was just 2 more years of high school added
for us but with more specific subjects on what course we are going to take to college. There comes
these strands. These strands are the ones that you are gona pick which makes your subjects
more specific on what course you are going to take in college.

Later then I found out that we will be having an Immersion subject for our 2nd semester. I
was so nervous yet also excited because we will be having it. We will have the opportunity to
have a job training and to experience the real world wherein we will have to work. Work Immersion
class is not just a class but it prepares us students for work. It is for us to be equipped with the
experience of the real work environment. Work Immersion also serves a great function for it gives
us students an idea for what’s to come. Work Immersion is not only just a class but will also help
us students to realize that if this work is not for us. During my work Immersion it helped me realize
that business isn’t really my thing but just something I want to learn. It helped to understand myself
better in a way that I will experience the work environment.

Work Immersion made me realize a lot of things that would help me in understanding
what course I am going to take afterwards. It has given me the experience of the work environment
and to apply what is needed to be applied on work. It isn’t just a subject but also an opportunity
to have the job experience.