Manila, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) reiterated yesterday that its decision to close two maritime courses offered by Philippine Maritime Institute (PMI) is final despite protests from students and school officials.
CHED Executive Director Atty. Julito Vitriolo said that PMI was “given enough time to improve its quality of education.” CHED, through a Notice to the Public dated October 14, announced the closure of the BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) and BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) courses of the PMI Colleges Manila and Quezon City effective the second semester of school year 2011-2012.
Vitriolo said the decision was because of the consistent failure of the school to comply with the standards of the two programs in accordance with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) that sets qualification standards for masters, officers, and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships and CHED requirements. (Ina Hernando Malipot)