This Policy Note assesses the K to 12 Transition Program and the functions of the Program Management Unit (PMU) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) tasked to operationalize it. Among others, it finds that the preparation for the full implementation of the K to 12 program has been inadequate. It also notes the lack of absorptive capacities of both CHED and its PMU in spearheading the program implementation as well as various administrative challenges such as unclear and slow procedures and poor monitoring mechanism, which hindered the country's smooth transition to the K to 12 program. To address these issues, the study recommends institutionalizing the review of policies and streamlining of procedures. In terms of capacity building, it urges CHED to begin the process of requesting regular plantilla from the Department of Budget and Management. It also recommends the strengthening of deconcentration processes initiated in 2017.
