Philippine Asian News Today Vol 19 No 10 | Page 9

May 16 - 31 , 2017
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
9
No To Martial Law
Continued from PAGE 7 or www . amazon . com which published it .
* * *
Are you a high school graduate who , because of poverty or for some other reasons , has been unable to go to college ? Or , were you a college student who stopped but who now wants to go back to school to earn your degree ?
If you are either of these , now is the best time for you to go back to college before the new higher education curriculum is implemented in school year 2017 to
2018 . The Commission on
Higher Education ( CHED ) estimates that there are about 10 million “ Lifelong
Learners ,” referring to graduates who obtained high school diplomas in
SY 2014-2015 or earlier under the old 10-year basic education program .
“ Now is really the best time to go back to college ,” says CHED Chairperson
Patricia B . Licuanan . “ By
next year , Lifelong Learners who would want to continue their undergraduate studies will face more requirements in going back to school as colleges and universities may require them to take bridging programs or additional subjects in line with the competencies required in the new curriculum .”
Lifelong Learners who prefer to pursue higher education after SY 2017-
2018 , will have to fulfill the admission requirements of colleges and universities they intend to study in , as contained in CHED
Memorandum
Order
No . 10 , series of 2017 .
Licuanan explains that these requirements are brought about by the full implementation of the K to 12 Program , particularly the transition to the revised general education curriculum starting June
2018 .
To support them in going back to school ,
these Lifelong Learners may avail themselves of the government ’ s free tuition program in state colleges and universities in the coming school year .
Alternatively , they can apply can apply for the
Student
Financial
Assistant Program offered by CHED .
“ We fully recognize the financial constraints that hamper our Lifelong
Learners from pursuing their education .
Our interventions underline our efforts and commitment in CHED to provide wider access to quality higher education nationwide ,”
Licuanan said .
As an additional support , CHED has called on all higher education institutions nationwide to accommodate
Lifelong
Learners this coming school year by extending the deadline for applications and enrolment in SY 2017-
2018 . ●
CHED chairman Patricia Licuanan with National BookStore matriarch Socorro “ Nanay ” Ramos ( Deedee M . Siytangco )

Peace corridor created to pave way for relief

A “ PEACE CORRIDOR ” will be established by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front so that the rebel group can help in the rescue and humanitarian operations for civilians still trapped by fighting in Marawi City , an official said Wednesday .
Eleven towns in Lanao del Sur , including the city of Marawi , Marantao , Balindong , Tugaya , Bacolod Kalawi , Madalum , Ganassi , Pualas , Calanogas , and Malabang will be secured jointly by government forces and the MILF following earlier calls from President Rodrigo Duterte for Moro groups to help the government fight terrorist groups , said Irene Santiago , chairperson of the government ’ s implementing panel for the Bangsamoro .
“ President Duterte approved the idea of creating a ‘ peace corridor ’ to ensure the safety of the civilians and the delivery of the needed humanitarian aid for the displaced persons in the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City ,” Santiago said .
She was designated by Duterte to oversee the humanitarian efforts , said the establishment of a peace corridor was agreed following the meeting with
President Duterte , members of the Joint Implementing Panels , and top officials of the MILF on Monday .
“ The peace corridor is a secure space
where humanitarian groups may evacuate wounded and trapped civilians and retrieve dead bodies for burial ,” Santiago said .
“ The corridor is also a safe space for goods to reach hungry people in the rural areas whose access to Marawi ’ s markets have been cut off ,” she added . ●
- J . P . Bencito . MS
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM