Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers party-list said that the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) should have conducted a series of consultations with stakeholders such as students, parents, and teachers before issuing their memoranda that cut financial aid for Graces 11 and 12 in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs).

“Sana nagkaroon ng konsultasyon sa mga students, parents and teachers kasi apektado sila dito. Sa mga estudyante at magulang kasi mawawalan sila ng ayuda at makikipagsiksikan sa mga public high schools. Sa mga teachers din na maaring in limbo ang kanilang load at trabaho dahil dito,” Rep. Castro said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 4.

No more GATSPE from SUCs, LUCs – CHEd

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said in its Memorandum Order (MO) dated December 18, 2023 that there shall be no more Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GATSPE) recipients from SUCs and LUCs beginning School Year (SY) 2023-2024.

The only exception is for students entering Grade 12 in SY 2023-2024 to complete their basic education, and “SUCs and LUCs with laboratory schools can accept enrollees but will no longer receive vouchers.”

Additionally, CHEd stated that the SHS program will no longer be taught at the SUCs and LUCs because it should only be offered from 2016 to 2021, while the K–12 curriculum is transitioning.

DepEd discontinued assistance to incoming Grade 11 students

Additionally, in order to prevent any displacement, Education Undersecretary Michael Poa claims that DepEd had already discontinued offering financial aid to incoming Grade 11 students in SUCs and LUCs prior to the start of the school year.

A month before the current school year of 2023–2024 began, on July 26, the Education Department issued Department Order No. 2023-020, which stated that financial assistance for the senior high school voucher program among state and local universities and colleges would no longer be provided—with the exception of Grade 12 students enrolled in that school year.

A five-year transition phase spanning the school years 2016 to 2021 should have been the extent of the participation, in compliance with the Republic Act No. 10533 regarding the K–12 educational system.

CHEd, DepEd Memos be put on hold following extensive consultation with stakeholders

Rep. Castro reiterates the need for an extensive engagement with stakeholders in order to ensure the welfare of students and teachers.

“Sa sinasabi ng DepEd at CHEd na dapat na 5 taon lang ang programang ito ay dapat na lalo nilang napaghandaan ang konsultasyon para dito hindi yung bigla na lang na maglalabas na lang agad ng memo na libu-libo ang apektado,” said Rep. Castro.

“The implementation of these memos should be held in abeyance after a thorough consultation have been done with all of the stakeholders and that their welfare especially the students and teachers are ensured,” the Solon stressed.

Photo: Act Teachers Party-List FB