Senator Win Gatchalian is calling for accountability from so-called “diploma mills” that take advantage of teachers striving to meet the qualifications required for promotion.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, November 2, Gatchalian said that the continued proliferation of low-quality graduate programs for educators should not be tolerated. He urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to act decisively against these institutions.
“I urge the Commission on Higher Education to take decisive action against these institutions and ensure that all graduate programs uphold the highest standards of quality,” the senator said.
Gatchalian also emphasized the vital role of teachers in shaping the nation’s youth, saying they deserve access to quality education and training.
“Ang mga guro ang may pinakamahalagang papel sa edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Kailangang tiyakin natin na nakakatanggap sila ng dekalidad na edukasyon at pagsasanay,” he added.
Meanwhile, ACT-NCR Union chairperson Ruby Bernardo explained why some teachers are forced to resort to diploma mills.
“‘Yong mga polisiya ninyo ay nanghihingi ng sandamakmak na papel sa guro pero barya-barya naman ang dagdag na sahod at benepisyo,” she said.
Bernardo added that even with the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program, many teachers still find promotions difficult to attain due to insufficient support for post-graduate education.
“Pahirapan pa rin naman ang promosyon kahit sa Expanded Career Progression (ECP), hindi rin sapat ang suporta para sa post-graduate degree,” she noted.
She then challenged policymakers to pass the Free Post-Graduate Bill and to implement a promotion system that values service and experience as much as academic credentials.