International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 3 Issue 4, July –Aug 2020 Available at www.ijsred.com ISSN: 2581-7175 ©IJSRED:All Rights are Reserved Page 19 Curriculum Exit-based Career Counselling Module for Senior High School Students Jhimson V. Cabral*, Leodegaria D. Abanto** *Senior High School Department, Buhaynasapa Integrated National High School, Buhaynasapa, San Juan, Batangas, Philippines, 4226 jhimsoncabral@gmail.com **Graduate School, Batangas State University, Rizal Ave., Batangas City, Philippines, 4200 ludy.abanto@icloud.com ----------------------------------------************************---------------------------------- Abstract: The increasing demands of the global workface and the growing needs of 21 st century learners necessitate schools to produce holistically developed graduates equipped with skills that will enable them to be ready to face life’s challenges. Such reforms allow learners to become ready for higher education, middle-level skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment, dubbed as the four Senior High School (SHS) curriculum exits. In this context, the study assessed the awareness of students on the said curriculum exits and evaluated the implementation of career guidance services such as career information, career education, career counselling, employment counselling, and job placement in schools. The study made use of descriptive research design. Results showed that most students are moderately aware on the four curriculum exits. The school administrators, teachers and students believed that guidance services are moderately implemented; hence, their assessments differed on the implementation of the said services. Finally, the researchers prepared a self-help module entitled “Career Counselling Module for 21st Century Learners” which is intended to make students more enlightened on what to do and where to go after SHS. Keywords: Career counselling module, career guidance program, guidance services, SHS curriculum exits ----------------------------------------************************---------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION The primary task of any educational system is to give learners the right tools and provide them with a critical mind, so that they can ask the right questions and make the right choices during and after their academic journey. They are trained to acquire new 21st century competencies such as information and technology skills, global awareness, and civic and economic literacy, which have become a standard part of the educational foundation. As a result, the definition of what it means to be educated and be competitive has changed and continues to change. For its part, the Philippine educational system has responded by going through several reforms to address the growing needs of the dynamic nature of modern learners. Such reforms have provided meaningful opportunities for students to acquire innovation, media and technology, communication, and life skills that are embedded in the new SHS curriculum, which serves as an essential step in improving the Philippines’ global competitiveness and making it at par with international standards. It is stated in DepEd Memo No. 169, s. 2018 that after gaining sufficient knowledge, skills, and attitude, learners are given the chance to choose the curriculum exits they will be pursuing after graduation namely, higher education, middle- level skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment. Whatever curriculum exit SHS graduates pursue is their own decision; hence, it is therefore the duty of the school and career guidance advocates to help them in making the right decisions. In view hereof, career guidance becomes an integral part of student development for it aims to help them make more informed and better educational and career choices. Republic Act No. 9258 or the Guidance and Counselling Act of 2004 mandates that guidance and counselling services must be relevant, efficient, and effective for the development and enrichment of an individual’s life. The fact that career guidance in schools remains one of the vehicles that connects learners with the right opportunities based on their personal assets, it allows them to explore and put their potentials into judicious use in today’s competitive environment [1]. Despite the myriad of opportunities provided by career guidance programs for students, the researcher has observed RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS