DepEd: SHS learners in SUCs, LUCs may transfer to public schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) said Wednesday that senior high school (SHS) students who are affected by the discontinuation of the SHS program in state and local universities and colleges may transfer to public schools offering basic education.

DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said that displaced SHS learners may also opt to enroll in private schools in the next school year and avail of the voucher program.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) earlier issued a memorandum, reiterating that the engagement of SUCs and LUCs in basic education through SHS shall only be limited to the K-12 transition period from School Year (SY) 2016-2017 to SY 2020-2021.

CHED said that DepEd has already issued a notice through the Private Education Assistance Committee that there should be no more Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GATSPE) beneficiaries from the SUCs and LUCs starting SY 2023-2024, except those who will be entering Grade 12.

Poa said that no recipient of the SHS voucher program was affected by the directive.

“This is because for the current school year (SY 2023-2024), wala na po tayong Grade 11 Voucher Recipients sa SUCs and LUCs (we no longer have Grade 11 voucher recipients in SUCs and LUCs). The voucher application system no longer accepted Gr 11 applicants in schools tagged as SUCs and LUCs,” he told reporters.

He said the DepEd still gave vouchers to Grade 12 learners in SUCs and LUCs so they could finish senior high school.

As for non-voucher recipients, Poa said DepEd database showed there are around 17,700 Grade 11 learners enrolled this school year in SUCs and LUCs across the country.

“Nonetheless, based on the reports of our Regional Directors, our public schools will be able to accommodate those that may be displaced. May mga regions rin po na wala nang SHS learners sa mga SUCs and LUCs (there are regions that no longer have SHS learners in SUCs and LUCs) so no one will be displaced in these regions,” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News