Filipinos are facing a serious gap in English communication skills, according to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, who stressed the need for urgent reforms to equip students and professionals with stronger language proficiency.
Speaking at the “Converge to ACHIEVE: The Higher Education Summit” on September 15, Agrupis underscored that many graduates remain unemployed despite holding diplomas, while industries continue to suffer from a lack of qualified workers. “Graduates leave our universities with diplomas, yet too many cannot find work,” she said. “Employers search for talent, yet industries remain understaffed.”
Agrupis attributed the disconnect to outdated curricula, fragmented data, limited access to quality education, and slow-moving education policies. She also admitted that CHED itself is grappling with internal challenges such as obsolete systems and delayed implementation of reforms.
According to Philstarlife.com, the CHED chair cited the country’s low English proficiency as a key barrier to employability and global competitiveness, particularly among students, government communicators, and professionals. In response, Agrupis has proposed a new micro-credential program in purposive communication aimed at improving ethical, transparent, and effective communication across sectors.
“We are a nation overflowing with talent, and we must build pathways that fully match that potential. We cannot build the Bagong Pilipinas on a weak foundation,” she said, emphasizing that schools must go beyond academic statistics and act as incubators of innovation and democratic thinking.
Agrupis also made clear that young Filipinos are not seeking handouts but opportunities, while educators are asking for respect—not just comfort. In her first 100 days in office, she said she has been focused on transforming CHED into a more proactive institution, one that enables meaningful reforms rather than merely enforcing regulations.
A 2023 survey by the Social Weather Stations showed that only 47% of Filipino adults consider themselves proficient in English, compared to 75% who say they are skilled in Filipino.
Agrupis concluded with a powerful reminder: “A bureaucracy that forgets the urgency of its mission cannot serve our students, our teachers, or our nation.”
