Manila, Jan. 6 -- Education officials said Tuesday the government is intensifying efforts to address long-standing concerns on the K to 12 program, particularly on the employability and readiness of senior high school (SHS) graduates.

In a Palace press briefing, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez said one of the key issues identified was whether SHS graduates are employable.

Benitez said TESDA has focused on ensuring SHS graduates are job-ready through free assessments and certification, noting that funds were allocated for the free assessment of SHS students, allowing them to obtain National Certificates (NC) II and III.

He said TESDA, with funding support from the President a...