The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) refuted declarations that the senior high school (SHS) program has been abolished after the issuance of a memorandum directing the state and local universities and colleges to suspend the program.

In a televised interview, CHED chair Prospero De Vera III mentioned that their office is not authorized to discontinue the SHS program, only reminding SUCs and LUCs that the universities no longer have a legal basis for receiving more SHS students since the K–12 transition period came to an end.

According to De Vera, he was surprised by the fake news and insinuations that circulated online, clarifying that the K-12 is not abolished and stating that he has been receiving complaints about the abolishment, which he clearly said is not within CHED’s jurisdiction.

De Vera mentioned that the implementation of the K–12 program will continue in pursuance of Republic Act No. 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, and based on the law, the said program is under the Department of Education.

He added that many SUCs and LUCs have discontinued the implementation of the program in their universities in the past three years; however, he admitted that some SUCs favor the housing of SHS students as the program serves as a “feeder program” for their specialization.

When talking about the displacement, the CHED chair emphasized that the memorandum is neither abrupt nor arbitrary, which means that there will be no displacement of students in the ongoing school year of 2023–2024.

The CHED is now cooperating with some SUCs and LUCs to look into plausible options for the students that are being affected by the discontinuation.