Perceived Deficiencies in Senior High Program Keep General Education Classes in College Curriculum

The Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has emphasized the need for increased bilateral discussions with the United States, particularly on economic issues. Romualdez met with his counterpart, US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, in the US Capitol on Wednesday night, accompanied by other Philippine lawmakers and the Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Romualdez described the meeting

SWS survey reveals growing number of OFWs

Around 7% of adult Filipinos are looking for work abroad, according to a recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). The survey asked 1,200 Filipinos aged 18 and above in person from December 10 to 14, 2022, if they or their family members were currently working overseas.

In December 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority said that there were 1.83 million OFWs around the world in the April to September period of 2021. Around 800,000 more were deployed in 2022 as reported by the Department of

Migrant Workers. The SWS also found that 75% of households with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) received remittances.

Remittances are crucial to the Philippine economy, totaling $5.33 billion since the start of the year, with record remittances of $32.14 billion collected in 2022. In February, migrant workers sent back $2.57 billion to their families.

Meanwhile, two out of 10 Filipinos (17%) said they were hoping to live abroad.

The survey also revealed the top seven countries where Filipinos were looking for work: Canada (16%)

Overall, Romualdez’s meeting with McCarthy highlights the importance of continued cooperation and discussion between the Philippines and the United States, particularly as both countries seek to strengthen economic ties and strategic partnerships.

Saudi Arabia (12%) Kuwait (9%)

United Arab Emirates (9%) Japan (7%) Qatar (6%) USA (6%)

Perceived deficiencies in basic education have led colleges and universities in the Philippines to continue offering general education classes, even though these subjects are already taught in senior high school, according to lawmakers during a joint House hearing with members of EDCOM 2. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) initially removed 38 to 48 units of required general education classes when the K to 12 program began, but colleges and universities added back courses as "remediation for the deficiencies of basic education," resulting in most degree programs still lasting four years. CHED Chairperson Popoy De Vera stated that CHED faced pushback from industry professionals and other groups when attempting to trim down the curriculum of various degree programs.

The joint House hearing, led by the basic and higher education committees, aimed to align the priorities of CHED and the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which is conducting a comprehensive review of the education system three decades after the first EDCOM was created. The Department of Education has been conducting an ongoing review of senior high and has found a curriculum that is overstuffed with content but lacking in several prerequisites for essential learning competencies, according to Vice President Sara Duterte, who concurrently serves as the education chief.

During the discussion, EDCOM 2 members asked CHED Chairperson De Vera to explain why several college degree programs still require four years of study despite the reduced number of general education classes in senior high. He stated that technical panels for other degree programs are still evaluating whether to reduce the number of required units. However, De Vera also noted that CHED has faced pushback from professional associations that want to maintain the integrity of the curriculum, and he personally supports downsizing college curriculums.