‘ADDED BURDEN’ | Lawmakers slam halting of senior high school programs in public colleges

January 4, 2024 , 11:37 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(January 4, 2024) – Senior high school programs in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) can no longer continue now that the transition for the K-12 program is over, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Wednesday, a development slammed by critics.

CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera III said there’s no legal basis anymore for public higher educational institutions to keep accommodating senior high school students because they were merely supposed to lend their “excess capacity” at the start of the implementation of the K-12 program, back when there were fewer admissions to the tertiary education level.

The first batch of senior high school students started in 2016 and graduated in 2018. “Tapos na ‘yung transition period. Ang public universities, kailangan na nila ang classrooms at teachers para sa kanilang mga estudyante. So dapat unti-unting i-discontinue na nila o huwag na silang tumanggap ng mga dagdag na senior high school student,” said De Vera on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas.

He pointed out that he already brought up this matter two years ago, so it’s about time for SUCs and LUCs to decide how to move forward. He added that the matter should be decided by their board of regents or directors.

“‘Yung Grade 12, patapusin na lang nila ‘yan, huwag na sila tumanggap ng dagdag na mga Grade 11 at gamitin na nila ‘yung facilities nila para sa kanilang mga college and university degree programs,” advised De Vera.

However, he said SUCs and LUCs that have laboratory schools—institutions that offer teacher education—can still offer senior high school. Citing the 2024 national budget, De Vera said each laboratory school can only accommodate 750 students.

But the development alarmed progressive groups who were concerned about its negative impact on thousands of students who had to transfer just to finish senior high school.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), around 17,700 students in Grade 11 may transfer to public or private high schools with senior high school programs or private colleges that offer the same. The DepEd added that vouchers are still available to those who are enrolling in private academic institutions.

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said the development might increase the expenses of students, thereby placing “an added burden on students and educators.”

“Mapipilitan ang mga estudyante na pumasok sa mga pribadong paaralan na mas mahal ang matrikula o kaya naman ay tumigil sa pag-aaral kung kulang na kulang pa rin ang pasilidad sa public schools,” said Brosas, calling for a “comprehensive K-12 review.”

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, also a member of the Makabayan bloc like Brosas, shared similar sentiments as he raised the alarm with the high number of Grade 11 students who will be displaced because of the move.

“Dapat gobyerno ang nagtitiyak ng patuloy na pagkatuto ng mga estudyante, hindi ‘yung siya pa ang nagiging bara sa edukasyon ng libu-libong kabataan,” said Manuel.

(PM)

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