Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara has directed offices and schools to support High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) students who wants to pursue public service careers. 

The support includes encouragement for qualified students to apply for the Career Service Examination - Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) on August 9, 2026. The Secretary also calls on the offices and schools to help the aspirants by giving them the following information:

• Qualifications and requirements
• Review materials
• Review sessions
• Career preparation activities

The education department stated that students who graduated from a K-12 program can secure a first-level government eligibility after passing the Civil Service Commission examination.

“Ang direktiba ay kasunod ng opisyal na pagkilala ng Civil Service Commission sa mga nagtapos ng K to 12 para sa first-level government eligibility,” according to DepEd

The eligibility paves the way for them to pursue public service careers.

“Sa ilalim ng CSC Resolution No. 2500229, ang mga nagtapos ng SHS o K to 12 Curriculum, pati ang mga nagtapos ng kaugnay na technical-vocational programs, ay itinuturing na kwalipikado para sa first-level government positions, basta pasok sa qualification standards at iba pang legal requirement,” according to the agency

Students aged 18 and above are also encouraged to take an examination at the Professional/Subprofessional level.

“Sa pamamagitan ng DepEd Memorandum No. 32, s. 2026, hinihikayat ni Angara ang mga mag-aaral na 18 taong gulang pataas at nakatapos ng JHS o SHS na kumuha ng CSE-PPT para sa Professional at Subprofessional Levels,” the DepEd said

Secretary Angara calls to support students who want to pursue that path.

“Para sa mga gustong pumasok sa serbisyo publiko, tutulungan natin silang makapaghanda, makapag-apply, at makita na may lugar sila sa pamahalaan kung nais nilang maglingkod,” he said via DepEd’s press release

The application period is ongoing and will end on June 10, 2026.