CHEd prohibits SHS Programs in SUCs, LUCs for the Next Academic Year

CHEd prohibits SHS Programs in SUCs, LUCs for the Next Academic Year

In the upcoming SY 2024-2025, around 17,700 Grade 11 senior high school (SHS) students may need to transfer to other schools because the Commission on Higher Education has stopped implementing SHS programs.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that approximately 17,700 Grade 11 students enrolled in state and local universities and colleges (SUCs and LUCs) in the upcoming SY 2024-2025, around 17,700 Grade 11 senior high school (SHS) students may need to transfer to other schools because the Commission on Higher Education has stopped implementing SHS programs.

On Wednesday, Undersecretary Michael Poa said these students are attending SUCs and LUCs for the 2023-24 school year. However, a recent memorandum from CHEd prohibits SUcs and LUCs from offering SHS programs for the next academic year.

Poa explained that while students enrolled for the current year can complete their Grade 11 in their current SUCs or LUCs, they will have to find alternative schools for their Grade 12 education. He mentioned that these students can enroll in either public schools or private institutions, where they can benefit from the SHS Voucher Program.

Addressing the issue of potential displacement, Poa conveyed that, according to regional directors' reports, public schools are prepared to accommodate those who might need to transfer. He also noted that no displacement would occur in some regions where SUCs and LUCs no longer have SHS learners.

Poa further assured that the CHEd memorandum would not impact DepEd's SHS Voucher Program recipients. He clarified that no Grade 11 voucher recipients are currently enrolled in SUCs and LUCs, as the voucher application system has stopped accepting such applicants from these institutions.

He emphasized that the vouchers are now exclusively for current Grade 12 students in SUCs and LUCs, ensuring they can complete their education in the current school year.

According to Poa, DepEd had stopped providing financial support to incoming Grade 11 students in SUCs and LUCs even before the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. This decision was made in accordance with Department Order No. 2023-020, which was issued on July 26, a month before the current school year began. The order stated that there would be no more financial assistance provided through the senior high school voucher program for SUCs and LUCs, with the exception of Grade 12 students for the current school year.

Poa explained that they are just allowing Grade 12 students to complete their studies as planned. He also mentioned that in the event that there are students affected by the discontinuation of the senior high school program in SUCs and LUCs, they could be accommodated in public or private schools as voucher recipients.

Poa also clarified some misconceptions about the issue, emphasizing that the senior high school program would not be removed from the K-12 program. He noted that Grades 11 and 12 are not being removed altogether, but rather, the discontinuation of the senior high school program in SUCs and LUCs is due to the completion of the transitional period.