Gatchalian mulls scrapping Gen Ed subjects to shorten college

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, has expressed openness to streamlining college curricula by removing certain general education subjects.

In a recent radio interview, Gatchalian noted that many subjects taught in college are repetitive, having already been covered in senior high school. He said this redundancy could be addressed by modeling college programs after those in other countries, where tertiary education is more focused and shorter in duration.

“There are many subjects being repeated. In senior high school, sometimes, it’s also being repeated in college,” he observed, citing his own academic experience abroad.

The proposal could potentially reduce the average college course duration to just two or three years, allowing students to concentrate more deeply on their chosen fields. Gatchalian used physical education as an example — students take it in senior high, only to face it again in college under another name like PATHfit.

The senator argued that such a move would not only improve academic efficiency but also ease the financial burden on students by reducing the number of units required for graduation.

Student reactions, however, were mixed.

Joanna, a second-year medical biology student, acknowledged that while some general subjects feel redundant, others offer value beyond academics.

“Even if not directly related—like PE or swimming in our case—they helped improve our teamwork and gave us a break from stressful academics,” she said. “It depends on the subject and the teacher. Some may feel unnecessary, but others really help you grow.”

Rica, a medical technology student, was more skeptical, calling the idea a "band-aid solution." She emphasized that deeper curriculum reform is needed to address the root issues in the Philippine education system.

Gatchalian also weighed in on the broader conversation surrounding the K-12 program. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tasking Congress and the Senate to review the system, the senator warned against scrapping it entirely, noting that it could negatively impact the country’s employment rate.

He emphasized that any major revision — whether in basic or tertiary education — must be thoroughly studied to ensure it benefits both students and the national workforce in the long term.