11/07/2025
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Opposition has come from Catholic Educators and Church educational bodies regarding the proposed scrapping of the Senior High School program in the Philippines saying that the flaws of the SHS program in the Philippines should not be met with 'dangerously shortsighted' proposals in abolishing it but rather with efforts to rationalize and improve its implementation, according to the released joint statement by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and co-signed by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education on July 09, 2025.
It was brought to the public's attention through Senator Estrada's Bill No 3001 which seeks to revert the education system back to a decade-long cycle with the removal of grades eleven and twelve.
The collective also noted that this proposal seeks to remove all the progress that has been made over the years and increase chaos in the education system which is already in turmoil.
Based on the information provided by CEAP and CBCP-ECCED, the intent of creating an SHS program in 2016 was to internationalize the Philippine education system, enabling learner readiness for the workforce, further studies, or business ventures.
It was noted by these educational associations that while there are challenges in executing the program, completely omitting the SHS would roll back progress made so far.
In place of outright removal, these groups advocated for constructive change along with focused enhancements which aimed to resolve issues identified in the programβs implementation.
The church educational committees suggested a number of actionable strategies such as the holistic assessment of SHS implementation, issuance of more vouchers to deserving learners, sharper focus on industry needs in curriculum design, and strengthened teacher training and immersion programs.
They encouraged the creation of regional Centers of Excellence to enhance the quality of education in a number of regions. Their bottom line was unmistakable: βReform, not repeal.β
Opposition to the bill has attracted attention from the private sector.
Organizations like the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) along with other civic and educational coalitions have expressed concerns that the removal of the SHS program would disproportionately harm the economically disadvantaged groups who depend on government provided public education services and financial subsidies.
These stakeholders emphasized that the concern is inadequate implementation along with the lack of available resources, opposed to inadequate program design.
Sonny Angara, the Secretary of Education, admits that the SHS rollout has had its flawsβoverloaded curricula being one of themβbut ultimately congressional decision is what matters most.
Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Education Chair Sherwin Gatchalian supports the value of SHS citing improved preparation for postsecondary education, employment opportunities, and skills training.
He supports retention and recommends more comprehensive focus on underutilized opportunities rather than eliminating the program.
While the congressional debates progress further, a balanced approach is being advocated by educators and stakeholders.
These groups are calling for the government to more specifically improve access to financial SHS, strengthen curriculum, foster industry partnerships, sharpen educator professional development, and improve investment in teaching staff.
For many advocates, removal of SHS is seen as undoing the progress made that would deny students crucial opportunities to compete in the global environment.
Writer | Danica Aimarie Cabriana | News Editor
Photo | Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)
