The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is facing significant backlash over its proposal to reduce General Education (GE) subjects from 36 to 18 units. Faculty members, particularly in the humanities, argue that this change threatens the integrity of education and job security.
The proposed curriculum overhaul, which would consolidate subjects like philosophy, ethics, and literature into five broader courses, has raised alarms among educators. Critics assert that it risks marginalizing essential disciplines.
During a public hearing, CHED officials claimed the changes would prevent redundancy with senior high school curricula. However, educators like University of Santo Tomas professor Paolo Bolaños questioned this reasoning, stating that the new focus on market integration oversimplifies the importance of content in education.
Under the draft proposal, core GE courses would include Professional Communication and Global Trends, while traditional subjects like ethics and literature would not be mandated. This has led to fears that universities may choose to eliminate these critical areas entirely.
‘Call it reframing if you want, but when institutions can no longer teach arts and social sciences on their own terms, the effect is indistinguishable from removal,’ said UP Los Baños professor Antonio Contreras.
Antonio Contreras, UP Los Baños
Educators also criticized CHED for not consulting them during the curriculum development process. They called for greater involvement of faculty who would implement the changes.
Victor Aguilan, a leader in the Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities, pointed out a legal obligation for CHED to collaborate with the Department of Labor and Employment on matters affecting job security, which he claimed was overlooked.
In response to concerns regarding job losses, CHED assured that existing GE teachers could transition into the new framework with sufficient retraining. However, Aguilan dismissed this as shifting the burden without proper funding.
The public response has been swift, with numerous faculty associations threatening legal action if CHED proceeds without addressing their concerns. Critics argue that the proposed changes could harm students, especially those from under-resourced schools.
As the debate continues, the underlying message from educators remains clear: a well-rounded education must include the humanities, fostering critical thinking and reflection, not just job preparedness.
Social media discussions also reflect a growing unease among the public, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to education that values both employability and philosophical depth.