Bridging its Legacy to 21st Century Education

CHIANG Kai Shek College (CKS College) is the largest bilingual institution of higher learning serving the FilipinoChinese community. Chiang Kai Shek High School, the forerunner of this College, was founded in June 1939 by Mr. Wong Chun Seng, Mr. Yu Khe Thai, and other prominent members of the Chinese community in Manila, with an initial enrolment of 273 students. It was named after Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, a Chinese military and political leader who led the Kuomintang, the and was head of state of the Nationalist government in China between 1928 and 1949.

Three years after its founding, the school suffered greatly during the Pacific War in 1941. Iit re-opened in June 1945 through the efforts and arrangements of the former Acting Principal Huang Chi Hwa. In August of 1948, the School moved to its present site in Tondo, Manila. Eight years later in 1955, a two-year training course for Chinese teachers was created. In 1958, a preschool was established in commemoration of the Founding Principal, Mr. Wong Chun Seng. In 1965, the school acquired College status with the initial offering of a four-year collegiate course Bachelor of Science in Education ( B. S. E.) Major in Chinese Literature and History as well as the Major in General Education. Dr. Pao Shih Tien be 1966, the College started to offer the Bachelor of Science in Commerce (B.S.C.) Major in Account- ing, Management, and Banking and Finance. In 1968, with the opening of the Elementary Depart Chinese-Filipino school to offer education from preschool to the tertiary level.

In 1976, all Chinese schools in the Philippines were Filipinized in accordance with Presidential Decree 176. Aside from the fouryear General Secondary Education and the six-year Elementary Education prescribed by the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) under English Instruction, Chinese Language Arts subjects were allowed to be offered. During school year 1991-1992, three additional degrees were offered: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS), Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) replacing the BSC major in Accounting, and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM). Computer Data Management was added as a new major of the B.S.C., while two majors were added to the BSE program-Computer Education and Mathematics. Two non-degree courses, a - ing and a two-year diploma course in Software Development, were also offered during that school year. The Marketing major was added to the BSC course program during school year 1993-1994.

In 1998, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted CKS College the permit to operate the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS), offering a Master of Arts in Education ( M. A. Ed.) with a Major in Administration and Supervision, as well as a Major in Teaching and Computer Education. By the second semester of the same school year, 1997-1998, the construction of a 10-storey College building in Narra Street started. school year 1999-2000, FBAS and FGS were transferred to the new building. The permits to offer the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) and the Bachelor of Science in Information Management (BSIM) were granted by CHED during Academic Year 2000-2001. These two programs were granted recognition permits by CHED in June 2002.

In September 2003, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to operate the Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( BSN) program. By the school year 2004-2005, the School of Nursing opened its gates to enrollees. In the same school year, Teaching Chinese Language was added as a new major in the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) program. The academic year 2008-2009 marked the re-opening of the Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) program under the Ladderized Education Program (LEP). The construction of the HRM Education Center was also completed. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted CKS Col- and second year curriculum of the B.S. Entrepreneurship in AY 20092010. CHED then approved the revised MA Ed. Curriculum which included renaming its major in Administration and Supervision to Educational Management and Supervision; offering the MA Ed. Major in English Language, Mathematics and Science Education; as well as offering the MA Ed.-Thesis Program and Master in EducationNon-Thesis Program. The permit to offer the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology (BSAcT) was also granted by CHED, effective AY 2010-2011.

The Department of Education under President Benigno Aquino implemented the K to 12 Curriculum, which posed a challenge for schools within the country in 2013. The CKS College Board deliberated and decided to get an expert consultant to help with the transition period. Dr. Dory Poa, an accomplished alumnae of CKS College, a lecturer and professor in various of Chinese language and literature, was appointed consultant of the Board for curriculum development and Chairman of the Special Task Force on K to 12. In June 2013, upon the retirement of then President Dr. Bee Chin Ong Kian Koc, Dr. Dory Poa was appointed as the new CKS College President.

Challenges Faced

Throughout its 78 year-history, Chiang Kai Shek College has gained reputation as a formidable ChineseFilipino school in the Philippines. However, along with its rich tradition came long-standing practices which needed transformation in order for the school to adapt to 21st century learners and the dynamic globalizing world. With the collaboration of all stakeholders (Board members, alumni, administrators, faculty, staff, parents and the students themselves) Chiang Kai Shek College worked together to promote—as the school tagline says—Progress through Education.