DepEd to extend SHS voucher program for Grade 11 students in SUCs, LUCs

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — The Department of Education (DepEd) has committed to extend the senior high school (SHS) voucher program until school year 2024-2025 for Grade 11 students enrolled in state and local universities and colleges (SUCs and LUCs) so they could finish their studies.

“The Vice President has already given out instructions that DepEd, because of this situation of having 17,751 learners in Grade 11, DepEd, will again be extending nalang ‘yung ating (our) voucher program,” DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa told the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture.

Poa, however, said that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) should first be executed between the department and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the extension of the voucher program.

“DepEd will again extend the voucher program when they enter grade 12 next year, provided that a memorandum of agreement is executed between DepEd and CHED to provide a clear timeline,” he added.

For its part, CHED has clarified that it is not stopping the senior high school program since it is under DepEd.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera said its memorandum issued last December instructs SUCs and LUCs to discuss the fate of the senior high school program with their respective boards.

He gave assurance there will be no disruption of education for senior high school students.

“The SHS students to be affected by this memo, we need to know where they are and the state of SHS facilities and services in the area, and whether their access to education will be negatively affected by the ending of SHS offering by SUCs,” CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera said.

Based on CHED data, 53 out of 103 SUCs have stopped offering Grade 11, while 52 already halted Grade 12.

Meanwhile, 104 out of 114 LUCs are no longer offering Grade 11, while 97 have ceased having Grade 12.

CHED and DepEd said they are waiting for data from affected schools and local offices to have a better understanding of how stopping the senior high school program in SUCs and LUCs will affect students for the school year 2024-2025.