IN a milestone moment for Philippine education and the digital economy, 75 students officially graduated on July 18, 2026, as the pioneer cohort of the nation’s first online Senior High School (SHS) E-Commerce Track.
The initiative is a joint project developed by the Department of Trade and Industry E-Commerce Bureau (DTI-ECB), the Department of Education (DepEd), and Thames International School.
Designed to bridge the gap between traditional schooling and modern industry requirements, the program embeds specialized e-commerce instruction, practical digital skills, real-world projects, and hands-on work immersion directly into the standard national SHS curriculum.
The program directly targets the surging demand in the country’s booming digital marketplace.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data from 2025 highlights that the local e-commerce Gross Value Added (GVA) reached P880.46 billion, creating an urgent need for skilled, work-ready digital talent.
“This partnership equips young Filipinos with practical digital and entrepreneurial skills while strengthening their readiness for further education, work and business,” said DTI-ECB Director Atty. Eryl Royce Nagtalon.
First conceptualized in 2021 and officially launched in 2024 after extensive inter-agency collaboration, the fully online curriculum allows students across the archipelago to participate regardless of geographic location.
During their studies, DTI-ECB connected students to immersion opportunities across its network of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and corporate e-commerce partners.
Thames International School President and Co-Founder Jaime Noel Santos highlighted the viability of the approach.
“This pioneer batch shows that a different kind of senior high school is possible—one that is online, industry-integrated and designed to produce work-ready graduates,” Santos stated, emphasizing its potential for nationwide expansion through public-private collaboration.
Bataan 1st District Rep. Atty. Antonino “Tony” Roman III commended the graduates and encouraged them to adopt lifelong learning while leveraging emerging tools like artificial intelligence with integrity.
Following this successful pilot, the DTI-ECB and Thames International are preparing to scale scholarship opportunities for School Year 2027–2028, calling on local government units, non-profits, and corporate foundations to help fund future cohorts.
