The senior high school program should deliver the “promised” reduction in the required years in college, Senator Win Gatchalian asserted.
In a hearing on the “strengthened” senior high school program, which will be piloted starting School Year 2025-2026, Gatchalian recalled that the additional two years of high school were originally intended to result in shorter years in college.
“A lot of people are now resenting senior high school because that promise has not been fulfilled.”
“What happened in reality is that we added two years in high school and maintained four years in college. That is why a lot of people are now resenting senior high school because that promise has not been fulfilled,” the veteran legislator added, citing a March 2025 Pulse Asia survey that identified additional cost as the top reason for Filipinos’ dissatisfaction with senior high school.
The seasoned lawmaker urged the Commission on Higher Education to reduce the number of General Education (GE) courses required at the tertiary level.
“Senior high school graduates should no longer be required to undergo bridging programs.”
The senator added that senior high school graduates should no longer be required to undergo bridging programs.
He also urged the Department of Education to offer core subjects that will boost college readiness.
