CHED lifts 11-year moratorium on nursing programs

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced Wednesday it has lifted the moratorium that prohibited colleges and universities from offering nursing programs.

In an online press conference, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said the commission en banc decided to withdraw the 11-year-old moratorium after a “thorough” review that began “at the height” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The commission en banc, after a very thorough review and study of the moratorium on nursing, decided to lift the moratorium on nursing, based on an exhaustive discussion,” De Vera said.

With the development, schools may apply to CHED, which would review their full 4-year nursing course and compliance with requirements.

Several regions are also in need of higher education institutions with nursing programs, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Bangsamoro, and Soccsksargen, according to CHED data.

Data from the Department of Health also showed that there is a demand for 201,265 nurses, as shown in CHED’s presentation.

In 2011, the commission imposed the moratorium due to an “oversupply” in nursing graduates.

Last year, a lawmaker from the House of Representatives called on CHED to lift the moratorium, citing a shortage in nurses at the country continued to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.

• CHED urged to lift moratorium on nursing programs

De Vera said the commission would also review the teacher education program.

— With a report from Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

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