Civil service opens first-level jobs for K to 12 grads

Kimberly Capuyan

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that Grade 10 and Grade 12 graduates are now qualified for first-level government positions following a revision of Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules.

Photo Courtesy of Philippine Star/Edd Gamban.

During a May 14 press briefing, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the new policy, saying it is part of efforts to integrate K to 12 graduates into public service.

“Layunin ng pagbabagong ito na bigyang daan ang mas maraming kabataan na makapasok sa serbisyong publiko bilang tugon sa reporma ng K to 12,” she said.

Under Resolution No. 2500229, promulgated on March 6, the CSC formally recognized the eligibility of junior high school (Grade 10) completers and senior high school (Grade 12) graduates from 2016 onwards for first-level government positions.

The key amendments are as follows: 

• From: High School Graduate
  To: High School Graduate (prior to 2016) or Completion of Grade 10 (starting 2016)

• From: High School Graduate or Completion of a relevant vocational/trade course
  To: High School Graduate (prior to 2016), or Completion of Grade 10 (starting 2016), or Completion of a relevant vocational/trade course;

• From: Completion of two years of college
  To: Completion of two years of college (prior to 2018), or Completion of Grade 12 (starting 2016); and

• From: Completion of two years of college or a High School Graduate with a relevant vocational/trade course
  To: Completion of two years of college (prior to 2018), or High School Graduate with relevant vocational or trade course (prior to 2018), or Completion of Grade 12 under the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Track, or Completion of Grade 10 with TESDA NC II certification (starting 2018).

The first-level government positions typically include clerical, trade, craft, custodial, or other sub-professional work in both supervisory and non-supervisory roles.

The CSC, however, clarified that the revised education standards do not apply to positions that require specific higher education degrees or the practice of professions regulated by board laws.

“This policy shift aligns the qualification standards with the outcomes of the K to 12 education reforms and aims to broaden opportunities for younger Filipinos to join the civil service,” the CSC stated.

Still, the CSC emphasized that applicants should meet the other qualification requirements of the positions, such as relevant training, experience, and eligibility for purposes of appointment to said positions.