PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — LAWMAKERS yesterday hit the Commission on Higher Education for dilly-dallying in closing the nursing programs of 177 nursing schools, saying these institutions further contribute to the deterioration of the quality of education in the country.
Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro and Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva said CHEd chairman Emmanuel Angeles should implement the closure order instead of just warning the nursing schools which failed to produce any board exam passer for the last five years.
“It’s imperative that CHEd should be serious in pursuing its mandate of ensuring quality instruction among the nursing schools. It is long overdue that mediocre nursing schools be closed. Warning by CHEd would not suffice relative to the school expenses and efforts borne both by parents and students,” said Teodoro.
Villanueva said CHEd should show political will in eradicating substandard nursing schools that bleed the parents of their hard-earned money.
“Hangga’t ‘di naaayos ang problema ng mismatch sa education system natin, walang silbi ang mga pilit nating pag-aangat ng quality ng mga graduates natin. Kailangan ng tapang at political will ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno sa edukasyon. Kung wala sila noon, walang silbi ang budget na napasa natin para sa kanila,” he said.
Teodoro said CHEd must ensure that the highest standards of education in state universities and colleges and private higher education institutions are met accordingly.
“The only appropriate action by CHEd on the matter is to strictly implement the highest quality standard of instruction among existing nursing schools, those that can not comply should be closed. Kawawa ang mga mag-aaral na nagtatapos sa ganitong uri ng paaralan, sa kabila ng gastusin at pagsisikap ay umaasa sa wala dahil sa hindi mabuting turo at inferior instruction ng mga nursing schools,” said Teodoro.
Angeles said CHEd is still “verifying” the data of these 177 nursing schools before issuing an order to phase out their nursing programs.