CHED closes Samar school

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education has ordered the closure of Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) in Borongan City, Eastern Samar for violations of CHED policies, standards and guidelines.

J. Prospero de Vera III, CHED chairman, said the college would stop operating next school year after the government revoked the recognition of all its academic programs.

De Vera clarified, though, that fourth year students are still allowed to continue their studies and graduate at the end of academic year 2024-2025.

The first, second and third year students will be assisted by CHED in Region 8 in transferring to other institutions.

“The closure is issued to ensure student access to quality education. Rest assured that we will assist the transfer of affected students to reputable HEIs,” De Vera said, referring to higher education institutions.

In 2023, CHED ordered the outright closure and revocation of government recognition of OLMC’s Bachelor of Elementary Education program and its two-year program on midwifery. It also issued a show-cause order for non-compliance with CHED policies for offering programs on criminology and nursing.

“Upon the evaluation of CHED through its Regional Office 8, OLMC was found to be noncompliant with the policies, standards and guidelines in Criminology and Nursing programs of the Commission, hence, the need for imposition of sanctions,” CHED said.

According to CHED, students of OLMC have raised complaints about the issuance of their school records and credentials.

“The Commission has done what we can do to help OLMC, but still the college remains non-compliant with our PSGs,” De Vera said, referring to policies, standards and guidelines.