SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian asserted that the Senior High School program should deliver on its original promise to shorten the number of years required in college.

In a hearing on the “strengthened” SHS program—set to be piloted starting School Year 2025–2026—Gatchalian recalled that the additional two years of high school were intended to reduce the duration of tertiary education.

“What happened in reality is that we added two years in high school and maintained four years in college. That is why a lot of people are now resenting senior high school—because that promise has not been fulfilled,” he said.

He cited a March 2025 Pulse Asia survey identifying additional costs as the main reason for Filipinos’ dissatisfaction with the SHS program.

Gatchalian urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to reduce the number of General Education courses required at the tertiary level. He added that SHS graduates should no longer be required to undergo bridging programs.

The senator also called on the Department of Education to offer core subjects that will improve students’ readiness for college.