CHED Directs State and Local Colleges to End Senior High School Programs

MANILA: The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has instructed state and local universities and colleges to discontinue their senior high school programs, impacting the current educational landscape in the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the decision was made following the confirmation of the discontinuation of senior high school programs in state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local universities and colleges (LUCs) nationwide. De Vera clarified that CHED does not dictate admission policies of SUCs and LUCs but can intervene upon request. This move aligns with Republic Act 8292, which gives individual universities’ boards of regents the authority over admission and graduation policies.

The issue now centers on how SUCs and LUCs, especially those with current Grade 11 and 12 students, will manage this transition. De Vera emphasized that these institutions should allow existing students to complete their programs, but the admission of new Grade 11 students remains a concern.

This directive follows the end of the K-12 transition program, which began in 2016 to address the shortage of qualified teachers and classrooms for senior high students. During this period, public universities with surplus resources temporarily offered senior high programs. However, since the transition period has ended, the legal basis for this agreement between CHED and the Department of Education (DepEd) no longer exists. Now, only public universities with teacher education degrees and laboratory schools are authorized to continue offering senior high programs.

DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa reassured that all senior high school (SHS) learners leaving SUCs and LUCs will find placements in basic education institutions. According to Poa, around 17,700 Grade 11 learners are currently enrolled in these institutions, and regional reports suggest public schools can accommodate displaced students. He also confirmed that Grade 12 voucher program recipients in SUCs and LUCs will not be affected by this change.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva support CHED’s decision. Pimentel acknowledged the need for SUCs and LUCs to focus on higher education, post-senior high, while Villanueva highlighted that offering basic education is not the primary role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), except for those with laboratory schools. Both senators urged DepEd to ensure a smooth transition for affected SHS learners.