The Commission on Higher Education has ordered for the discontinuance of senior high school (SHS) program in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) across the country.
In a memorandum issued last December 19 by CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III, he reiterated the decision of the Commission that there will be no more Government Assistance To Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) from SUCs and LUCs starting school year 2023-2024.
De Vera emphasized that the engagement of SUCs and LUCs in basic education through Senior High School has already ended, from SY 2016-2017 to 2020-2021 only, which was the K-12 transition period. This decision is aligned with CHED Memorandum Order Nos. 32 and 33, released in 2015 and 2016.
"Considering the foregoing, SUC Presidents/OICs are directed to bring to their respective SUC BOR/BOT the discontinuance of senior high school in SUCs, as there is no longer legal basis to fund the same," the memorandum reads.
In an interview, De Vera clarified that the SHS program will not be halted entirely, only that Grade 11 won't be offered in government-funded universities and colleges. Nevertheless, Grade 11 and 12 students can still enroll at DepEd and private schools and universities. "Private schools will continue to have senior high school students funded under the voucher program of the Department of Education or as regular paying students," he said.
An exception was made for Grade 11 students who will be entering Grade 12 in SY 2023 to 2024 to finish their basic education. SUCs and LUCs with laboratory school may also accept enrollees, but will no longer receive vouchers.
DepEd's action to discontinuance of SHS program in SUCs, LUCs
Given this directive from CHED, the Department of Education is working on ensuring that there are no students in the SHS program that will be displaced.
In a report by Inquirer, DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa confirms that the department has stopped providing financial assistance to incoming Grade 11 students in SUCs and LUCs before the school year started. This is aligned with the Department Order No. 2023-020 released in July 26.
DepEd confirms that about 17,700 Grade 11 students are currently enrolled in SUCs and LUCs, and may have to transfer schools starting SY 2024-2025 to finish their Grade 12 education, Inquirer reports.
Misconceptions on SHS
He clarifies that the SHS program will not be removed from the K-12 program, instead, the SHS program will be discontinued in SUCs and LUCs because "the transitory period is already over."
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva backs CHED's decision, saying, it "is in line with the mandate of our Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)."
In a statement cited by Manila Times, Villanueva explained, "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 said, they are looking forward that DepEd and CHED will ensure that there will be no disruption to the education of the students, adding that there should be sufficient support from DepEd or from the private sector "to take it on."
Parents, students respond to discontinuance of SHS in SUCs, LUCs
Some parents have aired their reactions on social media. Most of them say, there is no need to complicate the PH education system, and that it is high time to remove the SHS program not only in SUCs and LUCs, but in all schools.
In a thread by GMA News, some parents label the SHS program as "pahirap," saying that the educational costs that these two years entail are affecting their livelihood. Parents in the Smart Parenting community are also in favor of removing the SHS program.
However, students also aired their sentiments, especially those who are going through the program. One said, "Ang unfair po sa aming mga estudyante, kung ganito lang, sana noon pa naisip niyo na ang resulta. Sana graduate na rin kami ngayon sa college."
What are your thoughts on this?
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