Manila: House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairperson, Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre, urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to take decisive action against diploma mills and strengthen oversight of graduate programs in teacher education. Acidre made the call following the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s (EDCOM II) findings that many of these programs prioritize credentials over competence.
According to Philippines News Agency, recent data from EDCOM II showed that more than half of the country’s graduate students are enrolled in education programs, yet many of these programs fall short of delivering meaningful research output or genuine professional growth. The commission also observed that a growing number of teachers pursue graduate degrees primarily to meet promotion requirements, with limited assurance that these programs enhance teaching quality.
Acidre, who also serves as co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), said this trend underscores the need to ensure that graduate studies truly serve their intended purpose of improving classroom instruction and teacher capability. ‘The goal of higher learning for teachers should never be about collecting diplomas. It should be about deepening competence,’ Acidre said in a statement.
‘Too many graduate programs today have become mere ticket requirements for promotion, not real opportunities for growth. We need to bring back the true purpose of education: to form better teachers who can give our students the best possible learning experience.’ The lawmaker called on CHED to enforce stricter quality assurance standards and evaluate existing programs to ensure that graduate education contributes to teacher development rather than becoming a mere credentialing exercise.
‘Graduate education must be more than a line in a r©sum©. It has to be a meaningful journey that helps teachers think critically, teach creatively, and lead with purpose,’ he said. ‘It’s time we put an end to diploma mills that profit from ambition but fail to nurture ability.’ Acidre said stronger oversight is not about penalizing schools, but about protecting educators and students from substandard programs that waste valuable time and resources.
He also echoed EDCOM II’s recommendation to prioritize graduate programs in science and mathematics education, literacy, inclusive education, and digital learning to address long-standing gaps in the education system. ‘Strengthening graduate education is essential to restoring trust in higher education and supporting the country’s long-term learning recovery,’ he said.
‘At its heart, this is about caring for our teachers the same way they care for our learners. When we invest in their growth, we invest in our nation’s future. Strengthening graduate education is not just reform — it is renewal, one teacher at a time.’
