PRC chief opposes bid for additional year in college

MANILA, Philippines – The chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) on Thursday opposed the proposal of the Commission of Higher Education to add another year for nursing and education courses. PRC chair Nicolas Lapena Jr. told GMA News reporter JP Soriano that an extra year for the said courses is unnecessary, especially at a time when the country is facing the effects of global financial crisis. “I think it is not timely to add another year doon sa education, the length of time," Lapena said. The militant youth group League of Filipino Students (LFS) had picketed at the office of CHED to denounce the plan, which it considers additional burden to both students and parents. The group stressed that additional year in school will not uplift the quality of education in the country. “Yung dagdag gastos, yung dagdag na isang taon na pagpasok, yung pamasahe, yung gastusin ng mga magulang sa baon, malaking pabigat yun sa mga estudyante," said Vencer Crisostomo, LFS national president. But CHED chair Emmanuel Angeles insists on the proposal, arguing that additional year will not result in additional expenses. He explained that the extra year would mean more time for students to have their actual clinical training, which is important to the course. He added that the summer and review classes of students will be included in the fifth year. “Yung review naka-incorporate na ito sa last year of their study so wala nang extra expenses,’ Angeles said. A consultation with CHED, PRC, students and parents is set for March. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV