Senator backs move to dissolve SHS in SUCs

SENATE Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to dissolve senior high schools (SHS) in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs).

«The move to discontinue the offering of Senior High School (SHS) programs in SUCs and LUCs is in line with the mandate of our Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),» Villanueva said in a statement.

«While they were allowed to provide SHS during the transition period, we agree that it is not the role of HEIs to offer basic education, except for those with laboratory schools,» he added.

He stressed, however, that it is imperative to consider the impact of this directive on affected students. «As such, we expect that there is sufficient coordination between the Department of Education (DepEd) and CHEd to ensure that there will be no disruption to the education of our students and that there is sufficient DepEd or private sector capacity to take it on.»

The CHEd has announced the discontinuation of the SHS program in SUCs and LUCs.

In a statement, CHEd Chairman J. Prospero de Vera 3rd confirmed the issuance of a memorandum from the Office of the Chairman dated December 18.

The memorandum stated the «discontinuance» of the SHS program in SUCs and LUCs.

De Vera clarified that this decision aligns with CHEd's previous directives that the «engagement of SUCs and LUCs in basic education through senior high school shall be limited to the K to 12 transition period, which is from SY 2016-2017 to SY 2020-2021 only.»

He also highlighted that the DepEd has issued a notice through the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC).

Beginning school year 2023-2024, there will be no more Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education beneficiaries from SUCs and LUCs.

However, exceptions are made for those entering Grade 12 in SY 2023-2024 to complete their basic education.

SUCs and LUCs with laboratory schools can accept enrollees but will no longer receive vouchers.