PHILIPPINE college programs prioritize general education (GE) over practical, hands-on training, creating an imbalance that hinders graduates’ readiness for the workforce, according to insights shared during a recent House Committee on Basic Education hearing.

Dr. Edizon Fermin, Chairperson of the CHED Technical Panel for Teacher Education, criticized the current curriculum structure, noting that GE courses dominate 42 percent of higher education credits.

“This heavy GE focus essentially makes every graduate a minor in general education, as college exit courses overlap with senior high school (SHS) content, despite existing college readiness standards,” Fermin explained.

He proposed shifting some GE subjects to the SHS curriculum, potentially shortening college programs by a semester and allowing students to enter the workforce sooner.

Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of EDCOM 2, supported these findings, citing a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study. “Compared to ASEAN, Australia, and EU standards, Philippine bachelor’s programs require excessive GE units and lack sufficient internships,” Yee said. This results in Filipino students completing significantly more coursework than their international peers.

Rep. Roman Romulo, House Committee Chair and EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson, highlighted issues with curriculum adjustments. “When GE subjects were reduced, CHED technical panels added more units elsewhere, making it harder for students to graduate on time,” he noted, referencing the PIDS study.

To address these concerns, the Department of Education (DepEd) introduced a revised SHS curriculum, reducing core subjects to five and aligning them with CHED’s GE requirements. This adjustment aims to eliminate redundancy in college programs. DepEd also plans to offer elective subjects tailored to students’ academic or career goals, ensuring both college and career preparedness.

However, Rep. Stella Quimbo raised concerns about the elective system, warning that excessive flexibility could lead students to skip foundational college prerequisites. To mitigate this, CHED and DepEd are collaborating to integrate essential GE competencies into the SHS curriculum and review higher education programs to remove overlapping coursework.

Yee emphasized the need for balance: “CHED and DepEd must ensure SHS electives meet college prerequisites while allowing students to explore their interests.” Rep. Romulo added, “The revised SHS core subjects mirror first-year college GE competencies, potentially cutting one semester from college programs.” He urged both agencies to align basic and higher education curricula to better prepare students for their future.