[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1 delay=10]

CHED respects SC decision; to respond in 10 days — Dr. Licuanan

By , on April 23, 2015


The Supreme Court of the Philippines building in Manila, Philippines. Photo by Mike Gonzalez / Wikimedia Commons.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines building in Manila, Philippines. Photo by Mike Gonzalez / Wikimedia Commons.

MANILA — Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson, Dr. Patricia Licuanan on Thursday said the commission respects the Supreme Court’s decision issuing an indefinite temporary restraining order (TRO) today immediately barring the implementation of CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20, s. 2013 “insofar as the exclusion from the curriculum for College “Filipino” and Panitikan as core courses.”

Licuanan explained the CMO No. 20, s. 2013 otherwise known as the “General Education Curriculum: Holistic Understandings, Intellectual and Civic Competencies” is set to be implemented in academic year (AY) 2018-2019 when the first batch of Grade 12 students enter college.

Containing the reduced and more flexible curriculum, the general education curriculum (GEC) of 63 units is down to 36 units.

The passage of the K to 12 Law, enables flexibility by freeing the GEC from Science, Mathematics, English, Filipino, Literature, Humanities and Social Studies subjects that are more appropriately taught in the Senior High School.

Licuanan said the CMO also provides that the entire GEC curriculum or parts of it may be taught in Filipino or English, in keeping with Art. XIV, Sec. 7 of the Constitution.

For this purpose, the course descriptions issued are written in both languages.

Since July 2014, the Education-Industry Tripartite Committee (EITC) composed of CHED, Department of Labor (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have been working closely to mitigate the possible displacement of higher education faculty as a result of the K+12.

Moreover, the CMO was issued in March 2013, more than two years ago, following a year of consultations and public hearings before it was finally approved by the Commission En Banc.

Following the pronouncement of the high court ordering CHED to respond within 10 days upon the receipt of order, the Commission will immediately coordinate with its counsel and prepare a concise brief to provide the high court the justification and rationale for CMO No. 20, s. 2013.

“The Commission believes that the TRO is a minor setback towards the realization of educational reforms in the country.

“The CHED hopes to enlighten the high court with its upcoming responses and arguments,” said Licuanan.

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=2 delay=10]