Transition plan urged for students in SHS programs in universities, colleges

READY FOR A JOB? Junior high school students rehearse for their ‘moving up’ program at Manila’s Araullo High School on March 21, 2018. (File photo from GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — A transition plan to oversee the termination of senior high school (SHS) programs in state universities and colleges (SUCs), and in local universities and colleges (LUCs), must be drawn up.

The move will prevent the displacement of students.

This idea was expressed by several senators on Thursday.

In a statement, Senator Grace Poe said education officials should see if public schools can accommodate SHS students who will leave SUCs and LUCs.

“Education authorities should sit down and firm up a plan for a seamless transition for senior high school students affected by the discontinuation of the program in SUCs and LUCs,” she said.

The senator is making a call to officials of Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“There should be an assessment to know if public schools nationwide have the facilities and personnel to accept the expected influx of students,” she recommended.

Poe asked government to look after students who might be forced to shell out huge tuition since they will no longer be entitled to lower expenses they experienced in SUCs and LUCs.

“Wag naman natin basta pabayaan na lang ang ating mga estudyante,” she said.

(Let us not just forsake our students.)

“Hindi sila dapat gumastos ng malaki sa tuition o mapwersang hindi na mag-aral dahil walang pangtustos ang pamilya,” she noted.

(They should not spend a huge amount for tuition or be forced to stop schooling because families cannot afford the expense.)

“The SHS program should hold its promise of employability and more competitive graduates,” and not for Filipino learners to end up as burdens to others, she said.

Poe’s concerns come after CHED stopped senior high school programs in SUCs and LUCs.

CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III had said the engagements of SUCs and LUCs for SHS programs was only in effect during the K-12 transition period.

This timeframe covered school year 2020 to 2021 only.

For his part, Senator Win Gatchalian believes a transition plan may be needed, not only to avoid disruption in learners’ education, but also to shield teachers and other school employees from job loss.

“It is also crucial that DepEd, CHED, [SUCs], and [LUCs] assist the teaching and non-teaching personnel who are at risk of losing their jobs,” he said.

“These teachers and non-teaching personnel helped our schools during the K-12 transition period,” he recalled.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero said the end of SHS programs in SUCs and LUCs has legal basis.

He also acknowledged that the change is aligned with the mandate of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

However, the lawmaker believes the plight of the students must be prioritized.

“Bagama’t legal ang hakbangin ng CHED, mahalaga pa rin na matiyak natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante sa senior high school,” he said.

(Even if the actions of CHEd are legal, it is still important to ensure the welfare of our senior high school students.)

“Walang dapat na maiwan at mahalaga rito na nag-uusap ang CHED at DepEd,” he added.

(No one should be left behind here and it is important for CHED and DepEd to talk about this.)