Students allowed to enroll in college despite K-12 identified

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has identified the types of students who could be permitted to enroll in college despite the implementation of the K to 12 program, which will add two years in basic education starting next year.

In a memorandum, CHED chairman Patricia Licuanan said that while the K to 12 would result in a “multi-year low enrollment” as high school graduates would have to take senior high school, higher education institutions (HEIs) could still accept college freshmen in 2016.

She stressed, however, that only those who would graduate from schools that have piloted the senior high school program in the past two years could be accepted for a college program.

Licuanan added that HEIs could also accept students who have graduated before 2016 but have yet to start their college education or complete their unfinished undergraduate degrees.

“The commission is currently undertaking a study to assess the profile of this group of students, including the disciplines or fields of study that may be of interest to them,” said Licuanan.

“While there will be enrollments during this period, these cohorts will be smaller compared to the regular number of students, possibly posing challenges related to economic efficiency and capacity of our institutions,” she added.

The CHED chairman said that the decision on which programs to offer to cohorts during the next two years will depend on the judgment of colleges and universities.

Licuanan also noted that the implementation of the new college curriculum, which is currently being challenged before the Supreme Court for removing required Filipino subjects, would be implemented in 2018.

With this, she urged HEIs to create advanced placement systems to credit the subjects taken by students coming from early senior high school implementers to avoid duplication.

“The commission understands the challenges that the full implementation of K-12 poses to HEIs, and commits to regularly communicate and provide updated information and guidance to HEIs, including faculty and staff, and students and parents,” said Licuanan. –Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star)