Seventy-five students made history on July 18, 2026, as the first batch to graduate from the Philippines’ inaugural online Senior High School (SHS) E-Commerce Track. The groundbreaking program is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Trade and Industry E-Commerce Bureau (DTI-ECB), the Department of Education (DepEd), and Thames International School.
Designed to prepare students for college, traditional employment, freelancing and digital entrepreneurship, the program integrates specialized e-commerce training, digital skills development, industry projects and hands-on work immersion directly into the standard DepEd SHS curriculum.
“This partnership equips young Filipinos with practical digital and entrepreneurial skills while strengthening their readiness for further education, work and business,” DTI-ECB Director Atty. Eryl Royce Nagtalon said.
The focus on e-commerce directly addresses the rapid expansion of the nation’s digital market. According to 2025 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the local e-commerce Gross Value Added (GVA) reached P880.46 billion, creating a pressing demand for skilled, work-ready digital talent.
First envisioned in 2021 and officially launched in 2024, following years of inter-agency collaboration, the curriculum has now proven its viability, according to Thames International School president and co-founder Jaime Noel Santos.
“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 said.
“It is a model that can be expanded nationwide through strong partnerships among government, education and industry.”
Bataan 1st District Rep. Atty. Antonino “Tony” Roman III also congratulated the graduates for helping shape the future of Philippine education. He urged the students to embrace lifelong learning and to leverage emerging tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), with integrity and purpose.
Throughout the program, the DTI-ECB championed the curriculum and connected students with real-world work immersion opportunities across its network of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and corporate e-commerce partners. Because the program operates fully online, learners from across the archipelago can access the specialized coursework regardless of location.
Building on the success of the inaugural batch, DTI-ECB and Thames International are preparing to expand scholarship opportunities for School Year 2027–2028. Both organizations are actively inviting local government units (LGUs), non-profit organizations, corporate foundations and industry partners to help fund scholarships and broaden access to modern, career-focused secondary education for deserving Filipino learners nationwide.
