Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY
SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park Antonio
J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

Discipline and Ideas in

the Applied Social
Sciences
Professionals and Practitioners
in Counseling

Quarter 1- Week 3
Module 3
Most Essential Learning Competency:
 Value Rights, Responsibilities, and Accountabilities of
Counselors
 Ethical Consideration in Counseling
 HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that might
disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to
successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the instructions indicated in every page of this module.
2. Write on your notebook the important concepts about each lesson. Writing
enhances learning. It is important to develop this skill and to keep it in
mind.
3. Accomplish all the required activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key card.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE MODULE

 Expectations - These are skills and concepts you will master
after completing the lessons in the module.
 Pretest - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.
 Looking Back to your Lesson - This section will measure
your understanding of the previous lesson.
 Brief Introduction - This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
 Discussion - This section provides a short discussion of the lesson. It aims
to help you discover and understand new concepts and skills.
 Activities - This is a set of activities that you will perform with a partner.
 Remember - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the
lessons.
 Check your understanding - This will verify what you have learned from the
lesson.
 Posttest - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module.

1
Lesson
Value Rights, Responsibilities,
1 and Accountabilities of
Counselors

EXPECTATIONS

You will value rights, responsibilities and

accountabilities of counselors.
Specifically, this module will help you to
 Identify the importance of rights and responsibilities of counselors, as well as
their accountabilities in any given setting.

Let us start your journey in learning more on Ethnocentrism

and Cultural Relativism. I am sure you are ready and excited
to answer the Pretest. Smile and cheer up!

PRETEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Being committed to client’s well-being means that…
a. we organize a feeding program for them.
b. we set friendship boundaries so we can help much better.
c. we welcome them in our home where we can conduct our session with
them.
d. we demonstrate dedication and concern before, during, and after
every counseling session.

2. What do we mean when we respect the rights and dignity of every human
being?
a. Everyone is unique; hence; individual differences is always taken into
consideration.
b. Only people with financial needs should be given respect.
c. Only children below 12 years old must be respected.
d. Foreigners are exempted from respect.

2
 3. Which of the following does NOT belong to the group?
a. The rights and dignity of every animal influence our decisions.
b. Clients’ rights are self-governing.
c. Counselors must enrich themselves with further studies.
d. Collaboration is a must when identifying problems in the society.

4. Which of the following does NOT belong to the group?

a. Counselees have no decision-making capacity when
they are vulnerable and helpless.
b. Counselors must inform clients about their rights and accountability
before, during, and after the session.
c. Clients always demand attention-seeking attitude; hence, counselors
must always attend to these needs.
d. Intimate relationship is a must after the counseling session.

5. Which of the following does NOT belong to the group?

a. Counselors may reprimand the counselee if he or she does not obey
the rules of counseling.
b. A counselor may disclose some information about the counselee
especially if he or she has done something wrong.
c. The counselee may allow the principal to be present during
the counseling session.
d. Counselors must uphold the confidentiality of the counseling session.

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

Great! You have finished answering the questions. You may request
your facilitator to check your work. Congratulations and keep on
learning!
“Let’s Go Back”

To prove your understanding of the previous lesson, be ready to accomplish

this task.

Directions: Answer the following questions in your own words based on

your understanding of the previous lesson.

1. Why is it important to distinguish the area of focus of counselors from their

area of expertise?

2. Do you think counseling in the elementary is no different from counseling in

the college level? What do you think are their level of needs?

3
 3. Do you think counselors are trustworthy? Defend your answer.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Being honest is usually the cornerstone of trust and confidence in any
relationship that we form. And as we practice honesty in a wide field of
professionalism, especially in counseling, it becomes a valuable asset for change
and development of the learner. Counselors, just like psychologists and
psychiatrists, follow a strict code of confidentiality and honesty in their work
precisely because they work with people. Counselors listen attentively to the needs
of their counselee and set boundaries of confidentiality which both of them must
follow. In this way, they protect each other.

DISCUSSIONS
Valuing Rights of Individuals, Professional Responsibilities and
Accountabilities of Counselors

Professional counselors must always observe utmost respect for their

counselee, not just because they are in authority, but also because the counselee
has sought help from them. The counselees’ vulnerability is already a signal that
they are incapable of handling themselves. And when it comes to sensitive matters,
counselors build an atmosphere of comfort and security for their clients. This
atmosphere is the very reason why some distraught learners share their problems
and needs. The atmosphere of protection and integrity give them a sense of
security. The confidentiality and protection of the “self” comes first in the mind of a
counselor. And as counselors venture to the counselee’s problem, they must
commit in giving importance/value to the rights of individuals and demonstrate
accountability.
1. Respecting the rights and dignity of every person. Professional counselors
must bear in mind that each individual is unique. No matter how unruly the
behavior of an individual is, he or she deserves to be treated fairly, to be listened to
about what he or she thinks and feels, and to be respected.

2. Respecting the client’s rights as self-governing individual.

Counselors feel responsible for the welfare of their clients. However, counselors
must also remember that their clients have the capacity to help themselves and are

4
capable of making choices on how to do it. Therefore, counselors must
communicate trust to their clients to encourage maturity and sense of
responsibility, even outside the counseling session.

3.Being committed to the client’s well-being. Professional counselors

demonstrate dedication to their work by showing concern to their client during
counseling session and even after the session.

4.Observing fairness to all the clients by providing equal opportunity to

everyone who has availed of the counseling service. Counselors do not only
provide counseling to few and selected groups, but they accommodate individuals
from all walks of life regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status;
whether they are students or professionals. The counselor must render services to
whoever is willing and interested to be helped professionally.

5.Enhancing the quality of their professional knowledge and application.

Counselors provide quality service by keeping themselves updated on issues and
trends in their profession. Counselors must continuously attend conferences and
conventions or enroll in advanced studies. They must also join professional
organizations aimed at developing their competencies.

6.Being responsive to the society. Counselors collaborate with other members of

the community to provide the best services for their clients. They work hand in
hand with the parents, teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders to
further help the students.
Discipline and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
by Cleofe et al. (2016) p.37

ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.1. Situational Analysis
Objective: Determine the right of clients in each situation.
Directions:
1. Identify what right is violated in the given situations.
2. Write your answer on the space provide then, answer the follow-up critical
thinking questions.
Situation 1
Counselor Joey focuses only on counseling the rich and middle class individuals
in his private clinic. He sometimes begs off if he finds the client poor or has
nothing to give.
Right Violated:

5
Situation 2
At Holy Angel University in Pampanga, counselor Marjorie oftentimes, treats her
clients ordinarily. She has been hearing the same old problems of her student for
10 years that she automatically nods to everything she hears, without even
really listening to her clients.
Rights Violated:

Situation 3
Carlotta has been a counselor for 12 years but did not bother to pursue Master’s
degree or even attend seminars. She points out that the only service she needs
to render is to listen and give advice to her students.
Rights Violated:

Situation 4
Michael was having academic problem especially with his course subject
chemistry 101. He tried to visit the guidance and counseling center, but was
rejected by his counselor because accordingly, only serious issues and cases are
accommodated. He was advised to get a tutor for his subject course or take the
alternative course the next year.
Rights Violated:

Situation 5
The institute of Arts and Sciences asked counselor Marvin to create and
implement a guidance program for career and drug prevention. Marvin set up a
freedom board to gather information and perception of the students as a whole
about their career and their knowledge of drugs. He also set up some survey
questionnaires and fish-bowl interviews for each class in the different levels.
Rights Violated:

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. Do you think the rights and accountability of counselors exceed those that
are written in the bill of rights in the 1987 constitution? Defend your
answer.

2. Why do you think there must be accountability on the part of the

6
 counselors?

3. Do you think online counseling is a thing today, given that whole world is at
recess and the only way to deliver services is through online?

4. Why do you think there is a need to recognize both the rights of the clients
and the rights of the counselor? Which do you think is more accountable
when it comes to confidentiality of sensitive issues? Explain your choice.

ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.2. Value Lists of a Counselor
Objective: Value rights of counselors and counselee in different settings.
Directions: Complete the chart about the rights, responsibilities,
and accountabilities of a counselor. Follow the example provided.
Fairness and equality in availing counseling services
Respecting the rights and dignity of every person

Suggestion
Being committed to the client’s well-being

Professional knowledge and application

Being responsive to the society

Ex. School Do not Must have They must Attend Be an Make a

Bullying disclose the care for have equal seminars or advocate in comprehensive
names of both opportunity create speaking the program in
2. Smoking
inside the
campus
3. Bringing
prohibited
drugs in
school
4. Vandalism

5. Poor
academic
performance
6. Covid -19
program
information
dissemination
7. Poor
hygiene
habits
8. Speech
deficiencies
9. Frequent
absenteeism
10.
Depression

ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.3. A Picture of a Counselor (Creativity, Character-Building)
Objective: Creating an overview of what a counselor does as he/she respects the
rights of his/her counselee through researching and data mining of some
accomplishments and output based programs of counselors.

8
Directions:
1. Research on some programs of counselors that they have done for your
school. Choose only 3. You can ask your school counselors or you may look
it up in the internet.
2. Fill in the concept map with your gathered data. Identify what rights or
accountability is being presented. Be guided by the diagram provided.

Article1 =
Value Rights

Programs
of a
Guidance
Counselor

Article3 = Article2 =
Value Rights Value Rights

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. What did you discover about the counselor based on your gathered data?

2. Which do you think is the most challenging for a counselor? Which do you
think is the least?

3. As a Filipino, what practices or values can you learn from your guidance
counselor? How will you promote these values and
practices?

9
 CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

“In your own words”

Directions: Enumerate the rights and accountabilities of counselors to different
individuals and explain them in your own words. You may cite some experiences or
examples of these rights. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. =

2. =

3. =

4. =

5. =

10
 REMEMBER

 Counselors have the duty of respecting every right of an individual availing

counseling services. These duties and responsibilities are incorporated or
aligned with school policies and human rights.
 The right of every individual is unique and different, and is dependent on the
culture they belong to. It is a challenge for counselors to identify the
boundaries in which these rights thrive.
 Counselors must respect the decision-making capacity of the counselee.
They almost have authority and capability of helping themselves. The task of
the counselor is to redirect the counselee in that direction of self-help and
self-healing.
 Confidentiality and honesty are usually the investment and heart of the
service of counselors. Without them, relationship and healing would not
work.
 The well-being of the counselee must always be the top most priority of
counselors. This include that even when the session is over, the relationship
of counselee and counselor does not terminate totally. There must be abrupt
follow up of the counselee. This is the true meaning of commitment to
client’s wellbeing.
 Taking advanced studies like masters and doctoral degrees is an essential
consideration if you want to improve professionally and be the best in your
profession as counselor. Added to these, is your constant update of the
current issues and problems in society through readings and participation in
conferences and seminar-workshops.
 Counselors collaborate with other mental health practitioners and the like to
improve and develop more in the field of counseling. These includes
immersion in the community and working hand in hand with parents,
school administration, and other stakeholders, so as to be responsive in the
changing times, especially during pandemic crisis.

POSTTEST
Directions: Match the description in column A with the appropriate concept in
Column B. Write the letter of your choice on a separate sheet of paper or on the
space provided.

Column A Column B Answer

1. Counselors collaborate A. Professionalism

with other stakeholders
to provide the best
services for their clients.

11
2. Counselors must not B. Being responsive to the
engage in a relationship society
other than helping the
counselee. They must be
strictly professional all
the time.

3. A program is C. International students

implemented for this
group to address its
needs such as study
habits,
time
management, and ability
to concentrate.
4. These students fail in D. Honor students
their quizzes and are not
motivated to study their
lessons

5. As a result of absentee E. Students

parents, with academic difficulties
these individuals
become rebellious,
behaviorally difficulty,
and are prone to higher
rates of stress,
depression, anxiety, and
low self-esteem
6. This group is F. Children of OFW
composed of students parents and single
from different provinces parents
and may be experiencing
culture shock in the new
environment of their
school.

7. These students often G. Students with career

experience homesickness uncertainties
that may hinder them
from concentrating on
their studies.

8. Counselors do not only H. Professional knowledge

provide counseling to and application
few, but to all.

9. Counselors I. Equal opportunity to all

feel responsible for
the

12
welfare of their clients

J. Clients are also self-

10. Counselors must
governing individuals
pursue the highest
degree to be highly
competent
and knowledgeable about
their profession

Lesson
Ethical Consideration in
2 Counseling

EXPECTATIONS
You will discuss Ethical Principles of Counseling
Specifically, this module will help you to
 Identify the ethical principles of counseling, and what counselors follow in
their profession.
 Determine its importance in their work areas, as they abide to these ethical
considerations in the aspect of human improvement in the society.

Let us start your journey in learning more on Ethnocentrism

and Cultural Relativism. I am sure you are ready and excited
to answer the Pretest. Smile and cheer up!

13
 PRETEST

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. This pertains to the relational boundaries of the client and counselor inside
and outside of the counseling session.
a. Informed consent c. Relationship with clients
b. Confidentiality d. Professionalism

2. It is the counselor’s primary responsibility to protect the welfare of the

clients. This includes the identity and problem of the client.
a. Informed consent c. Client welfare
b. Professionalism d. Rights and dignity of the client

3. A counselor should clarify with the client the types of activities other than
counseling which will be utilized to address the present concerns.
a. Informed consent c. Confidentiality
b. Professionalism d. Relationship with clients.

4. What does confidentiality mean?

a. This includes telling your clients that the counselor has an obligation
to discuss things outside of the session, especially if this is matter of
life and death situation.
b. This means sharing to your fellow counselors the problems and
concerns of the client, as well as the client’s name and other relevant
information.
c. It means never to tell the client’s problem to co-workers but making
the immediate family aware of the client’s concern.
d. This means allowing the media to look into the situation and make
some suggestions.

5. Which of the following statement does NOT observe client welfare?

a. Refer the client to a much more suitable, competent professional if the
issue is complicated.
b. Be always knowledgeable despite the complexity of the problem
c. Allow other parties in the session if the counselor is unsure of the it.

14
 d. Reject the client.

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

Great, you finished answering the questions. You may request your
facilitator to check your work. Congratulations and keep on learning!

“Remembering the Past!”

To prove your understanding of the past lesson, be ready to accomplish this
task.

Directions: Below are some situational problems or topics that a counselor

face every day. Your task is to identify the right or accountability that is not
observed. As an added task on the activity, indicate the setting of the right or
accountability; you may choose clinical, industrial or school/educational setting.
Write your answer on the space provided.

Situational Problem Right / Setting

Accountability
1. Dishonesty inside the counseling
session.
2. Mary’s misdeed was broadcast in the
entire faculty department, although, she
had only one counseling session with the
guidance counselor.
3. Counselor Bernadette has 12 years of
counseling career with no Master’s degree
and attends only one seminar per year.
4. Counseling only lesbians for they are
girls but not gay men because they are still
boys.
5. The guidance counselor recommended
the expulsion of Raymond without any
counseling sessions.
6. Counselor Moran is scheduled to talk
about how to resolve relationship issues
and bring love back to Brgy. 78 Sapang
Palay, Caloocan City.
7. A group of Chinese foreigners are having

15
problems adjusting to the system of the
school, not only because the school is
Catholic, but also the school practices the
use of “po” and “opo” in conversations.
8. Margareth had an accident recently,
rendering her half body paralyzed.
However, you can still see in her eyes the
motivation to study further and finish
college.
9. Mary, a mother of a 10-year-old son with
ADHD, is seeking advice from you on
what’s best for her son when it comes to
education
10. Counselor Minerva is delivering a
seminar about sexual harassment in their
school.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Guidance and Counseling is a profession that allows you to help others
manage their responses to life’s challenges. It is a career opportunity to assist
others in developing their potential and to encourage personal growth and learning.
Counselors are guided by principles to be able to fully discharge service to those
who are availing. These are incorporated in the code of ethics (Guidance and
Counseling of 2004).

DISCUSSIONS
Professional Ethical Principles in Guidance and Counseling
Usually when you are part of a company, or profession that you have chosen,
you need to create your own behavior to adjust to the changing environment that
you are placed on. And this is true to all professionals; even teachers must have an
attitude/behavior of a second parent to their learners. Counselors must treat their
counselee with utmost care and compassion because their profession compels
them to do so. Counselors adhere to ethical principles, so as to guide them in
their pursuit for professionalism and in the performance of their practice.
16
Confidentiality. This principle states that counselees have the right to privacy in
working with his or her counselor (Hutchinson, 2014). All information shared by
the counselee, including his or her identity, must be kept secret. This means that
the counselor should not divulge any information and protect all documents about
the counselee. There is an exception to this rule. If this entails public safety and
public concern, let’s say, threat to life of the counselee (potential suicidal) the
counselor has an obligation to report the threat.
Client Welfare. It is the counselor’s primary responsibility to protect the welfare of
the clients. Hence, if the identified needs of the counselee are beyond the expertise
of the counselor, then the counselor, must refer the client to another professional.
As such, counselor must be knowledgeable about cultural and clinically
appropriate sources of referral which they may suggest to the counselee.
Informed consent. Counselors requires counselee to waive or inform the clients of
the overview of the sessions, and this includes the whole process of the counseling.
Explaining the step-by-step process and the risks involved (information divulge,
policies and the rights of the counselee to withdraw) provides options for the
counselee to see possible outcomes or alternatives whether to push through or not.
Relationship with Clients. This principle is all about boundaries and limitations
that may arise on the relationship of the client and counselor. This also pertains
within or outside of the counseling session. The counselor must be aware and be
bound by the ethics of professional relationship with clients. Counselors should not
be engaged in any personal relationship with the clients. Since clients tend to be
vulnerable and helpless at times, they become dependent on and see the counselor
as a companion. No matter how emotionally vulnerable the clients are, counselors
must set professional limits.
Professionalism. A professional counselor should clarify with the client the type of
activities other than counseling which will be utilized to address the pressing
concerns, the techniques, and counseling procedures that will be employed and the
sort of payment that is expected to be paid if working in a private setting. As a
professional individual, the limitations of confidentiality must also be clarified to
the counselee.
Discipline and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences
by Cleofe et. al. (2016) pp. 35-36

17
 ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.1. A Situational Problem
Objective: Determine the ethical consideration of counselors for every situation
provided.
Directions:
1. Identify the ethical consideration being violated in each situation.
2. Write the answer and explanation on the space provided.
Situations Ethical Consideration / Explanation
1. After the session, Counselor Mark
and his client Jane, took an
evening dinner at the nearby
restaurant.
2. Counselor Delvin works with the
government as a school counselor. He
also supervises the testing area for
soldiers and broadcasts if the soldier
or student has some psychological
problems.
3. Alyssa was not properly informed
about the whole process of the
counseling session. She was not also
allowed to cancel the session.
4. Ogie is a guidance counselor and at
the same time, has a part time job of
selling psychological tests in other
schools.
5. Reggie knows fully the extent of the
problem of his client. He even
prescribes medicines to his client who
has difficulty sleeping despite having
no medical degree or medical license.
6. Counselor Norman has special
feelings for his client Fely. Despite this,
he still insists on conducting
counseling session with her.

19
 ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.2. A Future Counselor’s Dilemma
Objective: Determine the dilemma for each ethical consideration
Directions: Below is a table in which the Ethical Principles are provided. Your task
is to provide a situation that violates the given principle. Write your answer on the
space provided.

Ethical Principle Situation

1. Confidentiality

2. Relationship with Clients

3. Professionalism

4. Client Welfare

5. Informed Consent

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Direction: Complete the idea of the paragraph. Be guided by the sentence

starter. Write your complete name and signature at the end of the task.
For me having Ethical Principles to follow, provides an opportunity for Guidance
Counselors to be….

Complete Name and

Signature
20
 REMEMBER
 Professional Ethical Principles in Guidance and Counseling provides
guidelines in counseling as a profession. This sets the standards and the
proper behavior to necessarily accomplish the profession. These is true in
whatever setting the counseling is.
 Confidentiality protects the clients in whatever information that may be
divulged during the session. It is the utmost right of the client to be protected.
The honesty and professionalism of the counselor provide an ambiance for the
session to work
 The welfare of the client is always on the mind of the counselor. Even after the
session, the counselor must observe follow-ups with their clients.
 Informed consent provides legal repercussions as well as protection for the
counselors. It also places the client’s decision on what the session should be
or to terminate it when necessary.
 Having a relationship with the client is a taboo in the profession of counseling.
Counselors are in the position to help but not to be in a relationship. The
profession of the counselor is judged based on the integrity and discreet
professionalism presented by the counselor.

POSTTEST

Direction: Answer the following exercises. Choose the letter that corresponds to
the correct answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. These are guidelines for the Guidance and Counseling profession.
a. The Professional Ethical Principles of Guidance and Counseling
b. Informed Consent
c. Confidentiality
d. The Ethical Considerations for Psychiatrist and Psychologists
2. The principle that states that the client has the right to privacy.
a. The Professional Ethical Principles of Guidance and Counseling
b. Informed Consent
c. The Ethical Considerations for Psychiatrist and Psychologists
d. Confidentiality

21
3. Counselors must be knowledgeable about culturally and clinically
appropriate sources of referral which they may suggest to the counselee.
a. Professionalism c. Client Welfare
b. Professional Knowledge d. Informed Consent

4. This allows the client to decide whether to participate or terminate the

counseling session process.
a. Client Welfare c. Informed Consent
b. Professionalism d. Confidentiality

5. Counselors should not engage in any personal relationship with the client.
a. Informed Consent c. Professionalism
b. Confidentiality d. Relationship with Clients

22
 REFERENCES
Online Sources

https://quizlet.com/233806095/lesson-32-areas-of-specialization-where-counselors-work-
flash-cards/

https://www.counselingdegree.com/10-most-common-counseling-specialties/

Books:

Cleofe, Myreen P., Liquigan Boots C., Maadrigal, Christopher L. (2016).

Discipline and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences. pp. 16-48

Corey, Gerald. (2015) Counseling and Psychotherapy. Theory and Practice.

Erford, Bradley T. Transforming the School Counseling Profession. USA: John

Wiley and Sons Inc., 2014

Erford, Bradley T., Susan T. Eaves, Emily M. Bryant, and Katherine A.

Young. 35 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know. New Jersey: Pearson
Education Inc. 2010

THESES/JOURNALS:

Tan, Christine Joy College Choice in the Philippines. University of Texas

2009

Acknowledgements

Writers: Hernani D. Patches Jr., Rpm

Editor: Amalia C.
Solis - EPS
Reviewers: Fructuoso O. Salao / Hernani D. Patches (Content)
Joe D. Verzosa (Language)
Management Team: Maria Magdalena M. Lim-Schools Division
Superintendent-Manila, Aida H. Rondilla-Chief Education Supervisor
Lucky S. Carpio-EPS and Lady Hannah C. Gillo, Librarian II-LRMS

23
 REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET

Name Grade and Section

School: Date: Subj. Teacher:

Quarter: 1 Module No.: 3 Week No.: 3

Valuing Rights of Individuals, Professional Responsibilities, and

Accountabilities of Counselors
Direction: Make a narrative report on the news article. Determine the rights of the
client, as well as, the professional responsibilities and accountabilities of
counselors. You may write your report on a short bond paper with a minimum of
400 words.

Senior High School Students struggle

to write in English.
Written by Bonz Magsambol, April 20, 2020

Source: www.rappler.com

24
An article by the think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) on
Monday, April 20, said SHS difficulty in writing in English was particularly evident in
research projects. According to Kristel Brillantes, consultant at PIDS, students were
submitting projects for compliance only,
preventing them from applying their learning
from the SHS curricula. Brillantes
described the current SHS curricula as “too
ambitious” and was designed for urban
students such as science schools in Metro
Manila. The article said that this led to
another problem such as understanding
activities “further worsened by lack of
resources.” It also cited the lack of
computers of some students which made it
hard for them to understand and join the
discussion on their computer literacy subject. The article also noted that even teachers faced
challenges teaching students due to “insufficient guidelines, inadequate materials, and
preparations.” “Students are decrying the ‘too much’ reporting, which made them feel they
teach more than their teachers do,” the article said. Aside from the difficulty faced by
students in writing in English, the report also raised the concern about students balancing
between academics and sports or arts classes. “On top of their regular academic programs,
the athletes, for instance, still need to join different activities, such as sports competitions, to
expose them to opportunities outside SHS,” Brillantes said in the article. The students,
according to the report, developed sentiments that teachers and students looked down on
them because they are “not smart enough” for being under the sports track. “DepEd should
help them understand why there has to be different SHS tracks, as it is currently unclear to
both the students and the teachers, leading to bias against those pursuing sports and arts
tracks,” Brillanes said as quoted in the article. Meanwhile, the report also said that these
problems were “mere birth pains” of the SHS program. Brillantes then called on the
Department of Education and other agencies involved, such as the Commission on Higher
Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, “to iron out
policies related to SHS.”

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 ANSWER KEY
Lesson 1 Lesson 2

PRETEST POSTTEST PRETEST POSTTEST

1. C 1. B 1. A 1. C
2. D 2. D 2. C 2. B
3. D 3. D 3. D 3. A
4. D 4. C 4. B 4. D
5. D 5. B 5. A 5. C

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