OPINION: The 18 consequences of CHED’s 18-unit general education plan

 

Philosophy, ethics, literature, art, and history wouldn’t be independent disciplines anymore.

radar questioned the Commission on Higher Education’s plan to reduce general education units to a minimum of 18.

In effect, humanities would no longer stand as independent disciplines—but be integrated into broader subjects. CHED’s justification? Producing “job-ready” graduates.

These are the 18 likely consequences if the plan materializes.

1. More noontime show contestants would say the Philippine president resides in “munisipyo,” not Malacañang.

2. More reality television participants would call the three martyred priests “MaJoHa,” not GomBurZa.

3. More youngsters would avoid 300- to 500-word articles—and especially long-form features and novels.

4. More adolescents would dance to a Lupang Hinirang trap remix—and proudly post it on Instagram Story and TikTok.

5. More social media users would doomscroll and feed on AI slop and disinformation.

6. More college graduates would struggle to write even simple sentences—even in Filipino.

7. More job applicants would falter in interviews—even those who graduated cum laude.

8. More professionals would have trouble holding meaningful conversations—even in dating.

9. More employees would simply follow instructions as if they’re AI prompts.

10. More DJs would create AI-generated songs—and even pass off other AI-generated songs as their own.

11. The 2022 World Bank report that 91% of Grade 5 students cannot read and understand a simple story would worsen, as it bleeds into senior high and college.

12. At least 60,000 to 90,000 faculty members would lose their jobs or get salary cuts—never mind the rising cost of living.

13. More decisions in science, technology, and business would be made without regard for who it affects.

14. More Filipinos would witness cruelty toward animals—and look away.

15. More Filipinos would forget the lessons of war, colonialism, and tyranny.

16. More Filipinos would accept violence as necessary, as long as it’s explained well enough.

17. More voters would elect the same political families and names, even those who are known to be inutile and corrupt. 

18. And eventually, life would become mere survival.