CHED, DepEd told to ensure smooth transition of SHS students

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — Lawmakers on Thursday called on education authorities to ensure that thousands of affected students would not be left out because of the phaseout of senior high programs in state and local universities.

According to Sen. Win Gatchalian, about 17,700 Grade 11 learners would be forced to change schools because of this development.

READ: CHED halts SHS program in SUCs, LCUs

READ: Students may transfer to basic education schools as SUCs stop senior high program – DepEd

The senator, along with colleagues Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero, urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to closely cooperate in guiding affected students in transferring to public or private schools, where they can also tap the voucher program.

«Hindi sila dapat gumastos ng malaki sa tuition o mapwersang hindi na mag-aral dahil walang pangtustos ang pamilya,» Poe said in a statement.

[Translation: They should not spend more on tuition, or be forced to abandon their schooling because their family can't finance their education.]

«The SHS program should hold its promise of employability and more competitive graduates, not as burden to Filipino learners,» she added.

While CHED's move has legal basis, Escudero—who chairs the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education—said it is crucial that «no students will be left behind.»

The agencies also need to evaluate if public schools across the country have the capacity to accommodate the affected learners, Poe said.

Gatchalian called on DepEd and CHED to likewise provide assistance to teaching and non-teaching personnel who may lose their jobs.

Meanwhile, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel criticized DepEd and CHED for «allowing» the students to enroll in senior high school programs.

«Tapos eventually ipapatigil ang senior high school program nila at papalipatin ng school bago maka-graduate. Ano ito, prank?» he said.

[Translation: Then eventually they would suspend the senior high school program, and ask students to transfer before they graduate. Is this a prank?]

Groups call for extended K-12 transition period

Meanwhile, the Teacher’s Dignity Coalition