CHED Focuses on Enhancing English Skills for Filipinos

Photo courtesy of PhilStar

The head of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Shirley Agrupis, highlighted concerns over inadequate English communication skills in the Philippines, impacting students, professionals, and government employees. This issue was discussed with Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro during President Marcos' state visit to Cambodia. Agrupis stressed the importance of developing a micro-credential program in purposive communication to enhance competencies in ethical and transparent communication.

At the Converge to ACHIEVE: The Higher Education Summit in Manila, Agrupis emphasized the need for higher education to align with national and regional priorities beyond just producing graduates. Despite advancements through reforms, challenges like funding gaps, inequity in access, and outdated curricula persist. Graduates often struggle to find work, and industries face staffing issues, revealing a disconnect between education and market demands.

Agrupis urged stakeholders to view education as a guarantee for the nation’s potential. She emphasized building strong foundations for "Bagong Pilipinas," arguing for educational pathways that align with national talent. She called for respect and support for teachers and the need for universities to innovate and strengthen democracy beyond statistical outputs.

Agrupis also acknowledged internal challenges within CHED, such as slow policy implementation and outdated systems. She stressed the importance of turning CHED into an "active enabler of transformation" to better serve students and educators. Her initial focus as chairperson has been on laying the groundwork for significant reforms.

Key Takeaways

• CHED Chair Agrupis emphasizes strengthening English communication skills in the Philippines.
• Persistent challenges in higher education include funding gaps and outdated curricula.
• Reforms are underway to transform CHED into a proactive force in education.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-09-17