CHED conducts Zonal Consultations on SHS Reforms and Higher Education Impacts in Mindanao
Davao City, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) and CHED Regional Office XI, successfully conducted the Zonal Consultations on the Reframing and Streamlining of the Senior High School (SHS) Program and Its Effect on the Higher Education Sector on May 30, 2025, at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City.
The event brought together around 240 participants from CHED Regional Offices and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Regions IX, X, XI, XII, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This initiative is part of a nationwide consultation effort to assess the implications of the evolving SHS curriculum on higher education and to ensure alignment with national education reform objectives.
The zonal consultation provided a platform for collaborative dialogue among CHED Regional Office’s Education Supervisors, General Education Coordinators, and members of CHED’s Technical Panel for General Education. Discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities posed by the evolving SHS curriculum and its impact on tertiary education.
The activity featured two key sessions that addressed critical aspects of the transition between the basic and higher education sectors. Session 1: Tracing Transitions focused on the alignment process between the Department of Education (DepEd) and CHED concerning the strengthened SHS Core Curriculum. Dr. Basilia E. Blay, Member of the Technical Panel for General Education, provided an overview of this alignment and its implications for higher education institutions. Dr. Edizon A. Fermin, Chair of the Technical Panel for General Education, followed with a discussion on trends and issues in the design, duration, and delivery of general education. Session 2: Tackling Transitions was led by Dr. April Hope T. Castro, also a Member of the Technical Panel for General Education, who presented key strategies and considerations for managing institutional and curricular transitions brought about by the proposed reforms.
CHED emphasized that this initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to building a cohesive, inclusive, and future-ready education system. Insights from the consultation will inform national policy discussions as the agency refines the SHS program to better align with the country’s higher education landscape.
In closing, CHED reaffirmed its dedication to evidence-based, consultative policymaking, highlighting the vital role of the regional perspectives in shaping forms that advance academic excellence and equitable access to quality tertiary education across the country.
