By Glaiza Salanio

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero De Vera III ordered the discontinuation of the Senior High School (SHS) program in all state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) for the next school year (SY), as “there was no legal basis to fund it.”

The commission also said that it should have only been offered during the K-12 transition period,  which was from SY 2016-2017 until SY 2020-2021.

“Tapos na ang transition period. Puno na ang state universities and colleges. Kailangan na nilang gamitin ang mga kuwarto at mga teacher. Kaya’t wala ng basehan para mag-offer sila ng senior high school,” Chairman De Vera remarked.

Based on the memorandum dated December 28, 2023, De Vera said that the Department of Education (DepEd) had already released a notice that beginning SY 2023-2024, there should be no more beneficiaries of Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GATSPE) from SUCs and LUCs except for those who would enter Grade 12 during the said SY.

However, SUCs and LUCs with laboratories may still accept a maximum of 750 students, but they could no longer receive a voucher.

“Considering the foregoing, the 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 memo declares.

Effects on students and teachers

With this implementation, approximately 17,700 grade 11 students from SUCs and LUCs need to transfer schools for their Grade 12 education, according to DepEd spokesperson Secretary Michael Poa on Wednesday.

He also said that they may choose to enroll in public schools or in private schools with the help of the SHS Voucher Program.

“For non-voucher recipients, it appears from our database that around 17,700 grade 11 learners are enrolled in SUCs and LUCs (nationwide) this school year. Nonetheless, based on the reports of our Regional Directors, our public schools will be able to accommodate those that may be displaced,” he communicated with reporters through Viber.

Meanwhile, CHED assured on Thursday that teachers will not be displaced or transferred to other schools even after the discontinuation.

“There is no transfer to DepEd or displacement. They will teach regular classes in the SUC,” Chairman De Vera said.

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