English communication remains weakness among PH students – CHED

English communication remains the weakest skill among Filipino students nationwide, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Shirley Agrupis said on September 15.

Photo Courtesy of PhilStar

Speaking at Converge to ACHIEVE: The Higher Education Summit in Manila, Agrupis stressed the urgency of strengthening English proficiency across students, professionals, and government workers.

“Our weakest skill is soft skill, English communication… Let us develop and implement a micro-credential program in purposive communication, strengthening the competencies of students, professionals and government communicators in ethical, transparent and purposeful communication,” Agrupis said.

She urged higher education institutions (HEIs) to prepare graduates with language skills that align with national and regional workforce needs.

“Graduates leave our universities with diplomas, yet too many cannot find work. Employers search for talent, yet industries remain understaffed. While the world moves forward, our curricula too often lag behind, leaving our students unprepared,” she said.

Agrupis pointed to systemic gaps such as slow policy implementation, outdated systems, and inconsistent data as root causes of weak competencies, adding that these factors contribute to economic challenges and unequal access to education.

She also called on HEIs to prioritize innovation and democratic approaches over mere compliance with statistics, while urging teachers to provide stronger instructional support and respect for learning opportunities.

“A bureaucracy that forgets the urgency of its mission cannot serve our students, our teachers, or our nation… That’s why [I] spent [my] first 100 days as CHED chairperson to transform the department from a ‘passive regulator’ into an ‘active enabler of transformation,’” she said.