MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (Commission on Higher Education) has moved the implementation of the Reframed General Education (GE) curriculum to 2028, following concerns raised by education stakeholders and higher education institutions (HEIs).

The decision comes after issues were raised over the proposed reduction of GE units from 36 to between 18 and 21, as well as the integration of subjects such as ethics, philosophy, arts, literature, and Philippine history.

In a hybrid press briefing on Wednesday night, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the agency will continue consultations with HEIs nationwide to ensure a more thorough review of the proposal.

“We came to a decision that there will be no GE implementation across all programs this school year,” Agrupis said.

“The target of this will be 2028, so that this will give us time to study and then listen more to the different stakeholders.”

CHED said it is also addressing concerns about possible faculty displacement, evolving industry demands, and school autonomy.

“Based on the result of the consultation, parang ang assessment nila, ‘yung (their assessment seems to be that the) 18 units reframed curriculum is that they are like being put into a box that they do not have the freedom to expand,” Agrupis said.

She added that some groups, including the Catholic Education Association, are seeking a more flexible approach rather than a standardized curriculum for all institutions.

“In fact, there is this Catholic Education Association, CEAC, they want it more flexible because it should not be a one-size-fits-all reframed curriculum because each institution has its own institutional direction or expertise,” she said.

Agrupis said the agency is adopting a data-driven process to gather inputs for finalizing the curriculum.

“We already developed a system for online feedback. And to date, there are about 255 HEIs who have responded already with all those many questions participating from 17 regions,” she said.

CHED has also received 15 position papers from various groups, including the ACT Party-list, which represents 352 HEIs, along with professional organizations, universities, and individuals.

She said a pilot implementation may still be considered before 2028, depending on the review of an interagency technical working group involving the Department of Education.

“This is to give us time, especially the technical panel and education, the Department of Education, to analyze and study the different manifestations well, because we understand where they are coming from,” Agrupis said.

Interested stakeholders may submit position papers and comments to CHED until June.