Quezon city: Labor education will soon be integrated into the curriculum of higher education institutions (HEI) to ensure support and protection for the future workforce, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Wednesday. This initiative comes ahead of the national celebration of Labor Day, as the agency led the ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11551, or An Act Integrating Labor Education in the Tertiary Education Curriculum, with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at the CHED Office in Quezon City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the law mandates the integration of labor education in the curriculum of HEIs and Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs) to ensure that labor rights, responsibilities, and workplace harmony are taught among students before their employment. In a press conference, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis announced that they are aiming to roll out the integration in the first semester of the upcoming academic year. She stated, 'For the freshmen na papasok sa (who will enter in the) incoming semester 2026 to 2027, i-integrate namin sa (we will integrate it in the) National Service Training Program as a special lecture.'
Labor education can be integrated into General Education (GE) courses, elective courses, or as a stand-alone course, if applicable. At least 12 instructional hours are expected under the rollout in HEIs, while at least eight instructional hours are expected under TVET short-term courses. The IRR also outlines the provision of common modules, instructor/trainer qualification standards, and the inclusion of microcredentials for trainers, among others. Agrupis mentioned that they are finalizing the modules necessary for its rollout among the second year to graduating levels, in coordination with partner agencies.
TESDA will develop microcredentials packages while the CHED technical panel will decide on how to embed it into GE courses. TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco 'Kiko' Benitez said, 'Part of it is because the GE curriculum of CHED is actually undergoing transition as well, so trying to strategize the most efficient way to ensure that the learning outcomes as dictated by the law can be embedded across the curriculum.' He noted that the repackaging might take about two to three months and may be rolled out for the second semester.
DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. emphasized that the rollout will demonstrate how 'productivity, respect, and fairness' will be upheld among both employers and graduates. He stated, 'Labor education is not just about knowing rights, it is also about understanding duties and responsibilities.' Under the IRR, the DOLE will help advance labor empowerment and career guidance conferences. In the long run, Benitez highlighted that employers will be strengthened with a future workforce that is 'more aware, more prepared, and more capable' for constructive engagement and development.
