TACLOBAN CITY — House committee on higher and technical education chairperson and EDCOM II co-chair Representative Jude Acidre has called on the Commission on Higher Education (ChEd) to intensify its campaign against so-called “diploma mills” and to strengthen quality control in graduate teacher education programs.
Citing recent findings by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), Acidre expressed concern that many graduate programs in the country prioritize credentials over competence, turning higher education into a mere stepping stone for promotions rather than a means for genuine professional development.
“Graduate studies for teachers should not be about collecting diplomas but about deepening competence,” Acidre said. “It must be a meaningful journey that helps educators think critically, teach creatively, and lead with purpose.”
EDCOM II data showed that more than half of the nation’s graduate students are enrolled in education-related programs, yet many of these programs fail to produce impactful research or measurable improvement in teaching quality.
Acidre urged ChEd to impose stricter quality assurance measures and ensure that all graduate programs truly contribute to enhancing teaching standards. Strong oversight, he said, is crucial to protect both educators and students from substandard programs that waste valuable time and resources.
He also echoed EDCOM II’s recommendation to focus graduate training in critical fields such as science, mathematics, literacy, inclusive education, and digital learning—areas essential to addressing long-standing gaps in the Philippine education system.
“When we invest in our teachers’ growth, we invest in our nation’s future,” Acidre emphasized. “Strengthening graduate education is not just reform—it is renewal, one teacher at a time.”
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
