DOLE sees fewer jobless with moratorium on new courses

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) believes the moratorium issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) prohibiting colleges and universities from offering new programs in five crowded fields would decrease the number of unemployed graduates.     

CHED recently issued Memorandum Order 32 banning public and private higher education institutions from offering new undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration, nursing, teacher education, hotel and restaurant management and information technology (IT).

CHED said the proliferation of schools offering programs in these fields resulted in the deterioration of skills of their graduates.

The moratorium covers schools planning to offer new courses in the above-mentioned fields but not those already offering courses under the programs.

“The moratorium, I believe, is a decisive action on the part of the CHED to mitigate potential oversupply of graduates in certain disciplines, and in the process, to encourage incoming students to opt for courses that offer the best chances of employment after graduation,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

She noted that the moratorium complements DOLE’s efforts to provide relevant market information and employment options to students. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)