SUCs to stop offering SHS program
By J.Lo
"This is to reiterate decision of commission, through CMO Nos. 32 and 33, Series of 2015 and 2016, respectively, that engagement of SUCs and LUCs in basic education through senior high school shall be limited to K-12 transition period, which is from SY 2016-2017 to SY 2020-2021 only," Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman J. Prospero de Vera III has directed all state universities and colleges (SUCs) to stop offering senior high school (SHS) program starting next school year (SY 2024-2025), saying there is no longer any legal basis to fund it.
In Memorandum from Office of the Chairman dated Dec. 18, 2023, De Vera said authority of SUCs as well as local universities and colleges (LUCs) to engage in basic education through SHS program has already lapsed after SYs 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, supposed transition period for Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) system.
He cited two CHED memorandum orders (CMOs) issued by his predecessor, former chairperson Patricia Licuanan, when K-12 basic education program was launched during administration of the late former president Benigno Aquino III.
He added that Department of Education (DepEd) has already issued notice that there will no longer be any government assistance to private school students and teachers who moved to SUCs and LUCs for SHS program "except for those entering Grade 12 in SY 2023-2024 to finish their basic education."
"DepEd has already issued notice, through Private Education Assistance Committee, that beginning SY 2023-2024, there should be no more Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education beneficiaries from SUCs and LUCs, except those who will be entering Grade 12 in SY 2023-2024 to finish their basic education and that SUCs and LUCs with laboratory schools can accept enrollees but will no longer receive vouchers," De Vera said in his memorandum.
CHED, through CMO No. 32 Series of 2015, had allowed SUCs and LUCs to offer SHS program beginning SY 2016-2017 until SY 2020-2021 in support of country's shift to K-12 basic education system and in anticipation of low enrollment in higher education institutions (HEIs) during those transition years.
Same CMO, however, stated that SUCs and LUCs' participation in SHS program "shall be limited to K-12 transition period only, from SYs 2016-2017 to 2020-2021."
Same CMO also stated SUCs previously authorized to offer basic education through their laboratory schools shall be allowed to accept up to 1,000 students during K-12 transition period, but must cap their enrollment at 750 students once transition period ends.
"Considering foregoing, SUC presidents/OICs officers-in-charge are directed to bring to their respective SUC BOR ,Board of Regents/BOT ,Board of Trustees discontinuance of senior high school in SUCs as there is no longer legal basis to fund the same,..for SUCs with laboratory school, present to Board financial implication of notice from Department of Education as to non-issuance of vouchers for senior high school enrollees in SUCs and compliance with CMO No. 32 Series of 2015 provides following K-12 transition period, laboratory schools shall cap enrollment at 750 students," De Vera said.
CHED chief directed agency's regional directors to monitor SUCs and LUCs' compliance with his memorandum.
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