GABRIELA Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said the recent directive by Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero de Vera III mandating state universities and colleges to halt the senior high school program in the upcoming academic year is a stark testament to the systemic failures embedded within the government’s K to 12 program.

“Simula’t sapul, tutol na ang mga estudyante at magulang sa K to 12 program dahil dagdag gastos ito. Hindi rin totoo na tatanggapin agad sa trabaho ang mga nakapagtapos ng SHS dahil college graduates pa rin ang kinukuha ng mga kumpanya,” Brosas said.

“Tapos ngayon, basta na lang tatanggalin ng gobyerno ang SHS sa mga pampublikong unibersidad. Mapipilitan ang mga estudyante na pumasok sa mga pribadong paaralan na mas mahal ang matrikula o kaya naman ay tumigil sa pag-aaral kung kulang na kulang pa rin ang pasilidad sa public schools. It’s alarming that despite the substantial backlogs in classroom constructions, with only a meager 2,000 built in 2023 against a 159,000 backlog, private institutions seem to be favored, depriving countless youths of accessible education,” she added.

The solon asserted that the government’s abrupt decision places an added burden on students and educators, and threatens the job security of SHS faculty and personnel within SUCs.

“This move appears reminiscent of the past–SUCs are stripped of their capacity, while private schools stand to gain financially,” Brosas said.

Gabriela Women’s Party called on the Marcos administration to conduct a comprehensive K to 12 review and transform the education system away from its export-driven bias toward an approach that prioritizes both the students and the country’s needs.