136 schools ordered to phase out 155 courses

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has ordered 136 colleges and universities nationwide to discard some of their courses because many graduates had flunked licensure tests.

Professional and Regulatory Commission records show only five percent of graduates at these schools passed examinations given by the commission between 1997 and 2001, said Roger Perez, CHED executive director.

He said the poor test results barred graduates from practicing in an array of fields, including accounting, architecture, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, Customs brokerage, forestry, mechanical engineering, medical technology, nutrition-dietetics, occupational and physical therapy, electrical engineering, and teaching.

The 136 schools, including 26 located in Metro Manila, were ordered to drop 155 programs gradually from the start of the new school year in June, Perez said.

The 26 Metro schools include the Technological Institute of the Philippines, University of the East, Sta. Rita College (Parañaque), Sienna College, AMA-Quezon City, Arellano University (Legarda and Pasig), Feati University and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. — Sheila Crisostomo