CHED Directs Discontinuation of Senior High School Program in SUCs, LUCs
The memorandum instructs SUC Presidents/OICs to present the discontinuation of senior high school citing the absence of a legal basis for funding.
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The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has directed State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) to discontinue their Senior High School (SHS) program.
In a memorandum issued on December 19 by CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III, the Commission reiterated that Government Assistance To Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) from SUCs and LUCs will no longer be available starting the 2023-2024 school year.
De Vera emphasized that SUCs and LUCs’ involvement in basic education through Senior High School concluded during the K-12 transition period, spanning from SY 2016-2017 to 2020-2021. This decision aligns with CHED Memorandum Order Nos. 32 and 33, issued in 2015 and 2016.
The memorandum instructs SUC Presidents/OICs to present the discontinuation of senior high school in SUCs to their respective SUC Boards of Regents/Boards of Trustees, citing the absence of a legal basis for funding.
In an interview, De Vera clarified that while the SHS program will not be entirely halted, Grade 11 will no longer be offered in government-funded universities and colleges. However, Grade 11 and 12 students have the option to enroll in the Department of Education (DepEd) and private schools and universities. De Vera noted that private schools will continue to have senior high school students funded under the voucher program of the Department of Education or as regular paying students.
An exception was made for Grade 11 students entering Grade 12 in SY 2023 to 2024 to complete their basic education. SUCs and LUCs with laboratory schools may still accept enrollees but will no longer receive vouchers.
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