EDCOM 2 urges CHED to address rise of diploma mills in teacher education

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) is urging the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to address the rise of "diploma mills" offering graduate degrees in teacher education.

A study revealed that government hiring and promotion policies have unintentionally fueled the proliferation of low-quality graduate education programs.

The study, conducted by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University, found that over half of all graduate program enrollments nationwide are in education.

EDCOM 2 noted that despite the high enrollment in education graduate programs, Philippine students have been lagging in international assessments like the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and Programme for International Student Assessment.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee stated that there is a strong public perception that pursuing advanced degrees has become transactional, used for promotion points rather than enhancing teaching competence.