Who’ll be next year’s college freshmen when K-12’s senior high school starts?

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has set guidelines for colleges and universities, or higher education institutions, as regards which students to accept when most students who already finished their fourth year of high school go to the senior high school phase of the K-12 program, instead of moving on to college in the school year 2016 to 2017.

“In line with the continued preparations for the smooth transition to the K12 system, the Commission on Higher Education seeks to address questions and concerns regarding enrolment in higher education institutions during the transition years of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, specifically on whether HEIs are permitted to accept freshmen and transferees during the said period,” a memorandum dated July 13 and signed by CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan, read.

Conceptualized in 2010 and formally institutionalized through a law signed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2013, the K to 12 (or the kindergarten plus grades 1-12) program of the Department of Education (DepEd) seeks to strengthen the country's 10-year basic education curriculum (BEC).

Aside from the mandatory implementation of kindergarten, K to 12 added two more years in high school. Thus, a student will be required to undergo kindergarten, six years of elementary (Grades 1-6), four years of junior high school (Grades 7-10) and two years of senior high school (Grades 11-12).

The DepEd began by launching universal kindergarten in the school year 2011-2012, followed by a new curriculum for Grade 7 in the school year 2012-2013. The school year 2016-2017 will mark the formal implementation of the Grade 11 curriculum, to be followed by the Grade 12 curriculum in the school year 2017-2018.

Based on the CHED guidelines, students can be accepted by the HEIs starting SY 2016-2017 under either of these two conditions:

Graduates from senior high school (SHS) early adopter

Prior to the official implementation of the SHS component of the K12 program, the DepEd has already authorized several schools to pilot the SHS curriculum. The CHED pointed out that these “early adopter” schools are expected to produce graduates by 2016, which the HEIs can accept as college students.

“It is expected that these SHS Early Adopter Schools will already have graduates by Sys 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 who can thus enroll as college students during the said transition period,” the CHED memorandum said.

The CHED advised the HEIs to establish an advanced “placement/assessment system” in order to assess which courses the graduates of SHS from early adopter schools still need to undertake during their first year in college to avoid duplication of courses .

“For SHS early adopted school graduates who have technically completed their basic education under the enhanced K12 curriculum, but will still undergo the existing higher education curriculum, HEIs may consider establishing an advanced placement assessment/system to credit courses in order to avoid duplication. Such systems, however, shall be left to the discretion of the HEIs,” the CHED said.

High school graduates and college undergraduates before the implementation of SHS program

The CHED said that based on its recently signed en banc resolution (CEB No. 264), students who graduated from high school prior to 2016 (the start of the implementation of the K-12's SHS component) as well those who failed to complete their undergraduate degrees, will be given a chance to enroll in HEIs from Sys 2016-2017 to 2017-2018, as a “last chance to go to college”, subject to the policies of their respective HEIs.

“In line with this, the Commission is currently undertaking a study to assess the profile of this group of students, including the disciplines or fields of study that may be of interest to these cohorts, both at the regional and provincial levels, and determine if these can be matched by the supply from the HEI side,” the CHED memorandum read.

The CHED, however, recognized the authority of the HEIs to determine which programs to offer to these types of students in consideration of the HEIs economic viability.

“While there will be enrollments during this period, these cohorts will be smaller compared to the regular number of students, possibly posing challenges related to economic efficiency and capacity of our institutions. As such, and consistent with current practice, the decision on opening and on which programs to offer to said cohorts during the next two years will depend on the judgment of HEIs,” the CHED said.

Additional reminders

The CHED also reminded the HEIs to start revising their policies, standards and guidelines (PSGs) as well as their general education (GE) curriculum to better align them with the DepEd's revised basic education curriculum under the K12 program.

The CHED said that while the official implementation of the CHED's Revised GE Curriculum (Circular Memorandum Order No. 20 Series of 2013) will take effect only by SY 2019-19, when the first official batch of graduates under K12 enters college, HEIs are advised to start implementing “transition” measures.

“Nonetheless, the Commission encourages higher education institutions to take the opportunity provided by the transition to enhance their curriculum, in preparation for this shift in 2018,” the CHED said.

“Finally, the Commission understands the challenges that the full implementation of K12 poses to HEIs and commits to regularly communicate and provide updated information and guidance to HEIs, including faculty and staff, and students and parents,” the CHED added. -NB, GMA News