Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis has identified English communication as the weakest skill among Filipinos, urging higher education institutions to strengthen workforce readiness. – Photo credit: Commission on Higher Education / Wikimedia Commons
MANILA — Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Shirley Agrupis has identified English communication as the “weakest skill” among Filipino students and graduates, urging schools to step up efforts so young people can compete more effectively in the workforce.
Speaking at the Converge to ACHIEVE: The Higher Education Summit on September 15, Agrupis said that despite strong credentials, many graduates “leave our universities with diplomas, yet too many cannot find work” because of gaps in communication skills. She stressed that the weakness is not limited to students, but is evident among professionals and even government workers.
Call for reforms
Agrupis announced plans for a micro-credential program in purposive communication to sharpen abilities in ethical, transparent, and meaningful interaction. The initiative is designed to bridge gaps between classroom instruction and workplace needs, particularly in industries where English proficiency is a critical advantage.
She also pressed higher education institutions (HEIs) to modernize outdated systems, speed up policy implementation, and expand access to quality learning. “Our graduates should be able to speak, write, and think clearly in English if they are to compete globally,” Agrupis said.
Survey data
Her remarks echo recent surveys highlighting the gap. A 2023 Social Weather Stations poll found that only 47 percent of Filipino adults considered themselves competent in English, compared with 75 percent who said they were skilled in Filipino. Employers have likewise pointed to English communication as one of the most common deficiencies among job applicants.
Broader implications
Analysts note that limited English proficiency can hinder opportunities in business process outsourcing, tourism, export industries, and international collaboration, where English serves as the working language. Agrupis warned that without stronger focus on this area, graduates risk being edged out by peers in other countries that emphasize language skills in education.
