THE COMMISSION on Higher Education (CHED) has shut down 26 teacher education programs in 11 higher education institutions as part of its intensified crackdown on non-compliant programs and so-called diploma mills.

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis disclosed the closures during Senate deliberations on the proposed 2027 budgets of CHED and state universities and colleges (SUCs).

The move comes amid concerns raised by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which has called for stricter oversight of undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs nationwide.

In its final report, EDCOM 2 found that 177 teacher education institutions continued to operate despite recording zero passing rates in the Licensure Examination for Teachers from 2012 to 2022, highlighting gaps in quality assurance and regulatory oversight.

Agrupis said CHED has stepped up its monitoring and evaluation of teacher education programs, ordering the closure of those that failed to meet the commission’s standards.

“We have already closed 11 teacher education institutions covering 26 programs, and we continue to recalibrate our monitoring system,” Agrupis said.

Under CHED’s evaluation system, institutions are classified as conditional, incomplete, or failed, depending on the results of the assessment.

Programs given a failed rating are subject to closure, while those placed under conditional status are given a limited period to address deficiencies before facing possible shutdown.

CHED has also formed a nationwide technical working group to investigate pending cases involving teacher education programs.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, co-chair of EDCOM 2, supported CHED’s enforcement efforts, stressing the need for stricter oversight to protect students and ensure the quality of teacher education.

He said improving the standards of teacher education institutions is crucial to producing competent and qualified Filipino teachers. EDCOM 2, he added, will continue to support CHED’s quality assurance initiatives.

CHED also cited the Philippine Teacher Education Registry, launched in 2025 by CHED, the Professional Regulation Commission, the Department of Education, and the Teacher Education Council. The registry allows the public to identify teacher education programs that comply with national standards and supports efforts to strengthen quality assurance through 2027.