Reforming Philippine College Programs with General Education Courses
The Philippine education system is currently facing challenges due to the heavy load of general education courses in college programs. Education agencies are now advocating for the “downloading” of general education courses to the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum to better prepare students and align education with labor market demands. This approach aims to ease the college curriculum, making it more practical and focused.
During a recent hearing by the House Committee on Basic Education, various education stakeholders, including officials from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and a congressional education commission, highlighted the urgent need to reform higher education. Their goal is to ensure that college programs meet global standards while providing relevant practical skills.
General Education Courses vs. Practical Skills in Higher Education
A key concern raised by education experts is that Philippine college programs have an excessively large share of general education courses. Reports indicate that around 42% of college credits are devoted to these subjects. One expert explained, “So lumalabas, lahat ng graduates natin ng higher ed ay minor in GE,” emphasizing that graduates effectively complete a minor in general education due to repeated course requirements despite existing college readiness standards.
To address this, the proposal to transfer some general education courses to the Senior High School curriculum has gained traction. This adjustment could shorten college programs by at least one semester, allowing students to graduate earlier and enter the workforce faster.
Philippine College Degrees Exceed Global Norms and Lack Internships
Initial studies from a development research institute reveal that Philippine college programs often exceed credit requirements compared to ASEAN countries, Australia, and the EU. However, these programs tend to be “GE-heavy, internship-light,” meaning students complete more general education units but gain less practical experience through internships.
For example, a comparison of the Bachelor of Business Administration curriculum with international standards showed Philippine students face a heavier general education load but fewer internship opportunities. This imbalance has sparked calls for curriculum adjustments to enhance practical training.
Efforts to Align SHS Curriculum and College Programs
Responding to these concerns, DepEd has introduced a revised Senior High School curriculum that reduces core subjects to five. Many of these courses are designed to cover competencies typically taught in college-level general education. By shifting these subjects to SHS, the college curriculum can be streamlined, reducing redundancy.
Furthermore, DepEd plans to offer electives tailored to students’ academic and career interests, ensuring they are prepared both for college and future careers. This flexibility allows students to explore areas aligned with their goals while meeting essential educational standards.
Legislative Perspectives on Curriculum Reforms
The chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education emphasized the importance of avoiding duplication between SHS and college curricula. He remarked, “There’s a PIDS study, and it said that nung nagbawas ng GE subjects, ang ginawa naman ng CHED technical panels, nag-add,” highlighting that attempts to reduce general education courses sometimes led to new subjects replacing the removed ones. “But the thing is we went over and beyond—ang daming dinagdag, ang dami ring nahirapang makatapos,” he added, noting that excessive course additions have made it difficult for many students to graduate.
However, some lawmakers warn that while expanding elective options is beneficial, it should not compromise foundational college readiness.
Collaboration Between CHED and DepEd for Curriculum Success
CHED reassures that it is working closely with DepEd to prevent overlap between the SHS and college curricula. New technical panels are reviewing courses to integrate general education competencies into Senior High School. This cooperation aims to allow college students to concentrate more on specialized and practical subjects rather than repeated general education topics.
Experts also stress the importance of providing a well-curated list of electives in SHS that align with college prerequisites while offering students flexibility to pursue their interests. Such synergy between DepEd and CHED is crucial for a smooth transition from basic to higher education.
The congressional education commission involved in these efforts was established by law to assess the Philippine education system and recommend legislative reforms to address ongoing challenges.
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