DTI, DepEd form agreement to offer e-commerce track for SHS students – Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Authors: Kris Crismundo, Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Education (DepEd) and Thames International School Inc. have entered into an agreement to offer and implement an e-commerce track for secondary school students (SHS).

Outgoing DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Deputy Education Minister Juan Edgardo Angara, and Thames International co-founder and president Jaime Noel Santos signed a memorandum of understanding (MOA) in Makati City on Thursday aimed at building and strengthening the country’s e-commerce talent pool.

“A dedicated e-commerce track in high school is a strategic step toward creating a future-ready workforce. We need to prepare our workforce for an emerging industry that is digital and AI-driven,” Pascual said.

He added that the course will equip students with the technical skills needed in the growing e-commerce industry that supports the Philippine economy.

He added that the new major will prepare students to be “job creators and innovators” because e-commerce opens up new ways of doing business.

“The President’s emphasis on a future-ready education system is our guiding light. This partnership is a concrete step towards achieving that vision. Together, we will build a robust e-commerce ecosystem that drives economic growth, empowers our youth, and brings Bagong Pilipinas to the global digital stage,” Pascual added.

Meanwhile, Santos said the MOA aims to enroll 1,000 students in the first year of implementing the e-commerce track, and then expand that to 50,000 SHS students in three to four years.

Employability in SHS

Angara, in turn, said the E-Commerce Track program will help ensure employment for high school graduates, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Under the agreement, participants can receive training in areas such as digital marketing, procurement and logistics, data analysis, online security and computer systems.

“Malaki tyansa on tabaho for graduates (there is a good chance that our graduates will find a job even after) graduating from high school. And your day to day ipinasa natin ang (that’s what we promised when we introduced) K-12 (kindergarten to grade 12),” Angara said in a snaggle-taggle interview.

Angara said DepEd may incorporate the said track into the students’ curriculum, which is a good opportunity for the ongoing review and revision of the SHS curriculum.

He also stressed the need to introduce such innovations in the curriculum to develop students’ skills and interests.

“Many pumapasok diyan for new industrial development (New industries are emerging, such as) artificial intelligence, software development, game development, animation, my hindi pangkaraniwan ba, hindi familiarization with the curriculum (those that are not common and are not part of our curriculum),” Angara said.

“Nakikita natin can potensyal para ipasok of their diyan items. Dahil marami diyan, more information eg (We see potential for its inclusion in several subjects. Since many of them are within the interests of the students.)”

The said course is expected to enroll at least 1,000 students, with the first phase expected to encompass 50 schools in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, given the concentration of e-commerce companies in these regions.