JAN.

24, 2012 DATE

NR # 2658B
REF. NO.

Phasing-out of oversubscribed courses draws mixed reactions from lawmakers

Lawmakers are divided on the proposal of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to gradually phase-out oversubscribed courses starting school year 2012-2013 to deter further unemployment of thousands of graduates every year. Rep. Reena Concepcion Obillo (Party-list, Una ang Pamilya) strongly supported the move, which she said has unfortunately resulted in the unemployment of thousands of graduates every year. Sadly, most college students have been lured to enroll in a course with the end goal of working outside the country; a sentiment that has also been taken advantage of by some private schools to boost their enrollment and profit, Obillo said. Obillo said by gradually phasing out these oversubscribed courses, the government will be able to re-focus the attention of our college students to courses that would boost other sectors like agriculture that also offers good job opportunities and consequently, a better future for their families and which the country could also benefit from. However, CHED should also be clear on how long their proposed moratorium on these oversubscribed courses will last as the country could also possibly face a shortage of professionals in industries that they plan to phase out, Obillo stressed. But Rep. Raymond Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan) said he is not inclined to support the proposal of the gradual phasing-out of oversubscribed courses such as Bachelor of Science in Nursing and business education programs or courses like Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), BS Accountancy, and other related courses. This is highly disturbing that we are going to stop training new teachers and health workers when the country direly needs them especially in poor and undeserved communities, Palatino said. Palatino said the problem here is job creation, decreasing government support for social services and active reliance on labor export. The proposed moratorium on over-subscribed degrees or frequently enrolled courses, producing graduates more than what some industries need is one of the administration thrusts of new CHED chief Patricia Licuanan. According to Licuanan, the over production of graduates of some courses where existing industries cannot accommodate all of them, has resulted in the unemployment of thousands of graduates every year. Licuanan said CHED will instead focus on the promotion of undersubscribed programs such as agriculture, mines and geosciences that have sure markets for graduates and encouraged incoming freshmen to enroll in these courses. (30) lvc