Chiang Kai Shek College: A Brief History

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Chiang Kai Shek College is the first institution of higher learning in the Philippines founded by overseas Chinese-Filipinos.  It offers education in all levels from preschool to graduate school.

 In June 1939, Chiang Kai Shek High School was founded by prominent and hardworking Chinese in Manila like Mr. Wong Chun Seng and Mr. Yu Khe Thai.  It was named after Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek to inspire young Filipino-Chinese to emulate the great personality and spirit of the late President.  It initially offered a six-year program in Chinese and a four-year program in English. Three years later, the school bore the brunt of World War II– it was heavily damaged and fourteen teachers and students were killed for participating in underground activities. The school reopened in December 1945.  Under Principal Wong together with the support of the Chinese community, moved to its new site in August 1948.

 In 1955, a Normal School was established to offer a two-year course for Chinese teacher-training. In 1958, the Wong Chun Seng Memorial Preschool was established.

Chiang Kai Shek High School became a college in 1965 with the initial offering of two (2) four-year collegiate courses:  Bachelor of Secondary Education (B.S.E.), Major in Chinese Literature and History; and Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in General Education.  Dr. Pao Shih Tien was the first College President.  In 1968, with the offering of the Elementary Course, CKS College became one of the pioneer Chinese-Filipino educational institutions that offer complete education from preschool to college levels.

In 1973, with Presidential Decree 176 ordering the integration of all foreign schools into the Philippine Educational System, the school has been offering three (3) Chinese subjects both in Grade School and in High School. The school was also granted a permit to offer a two-year Pre-College Course in Chinese Instruction. 

In June 1990, the Language Learning Center was established.

In 1997, the school was granted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to offer two Graduate Programs: Master in Business Administration (M.B.A.) and Master of Arts in Education (M.A. in Ed.) 

In June 1999, the collegiate department moved to the new building at Narra Street.  In November 2000, the Preschool and Kindergarten Department started offering the Montessori Class, and in June 2009 it opened the Day Care Center to provide respite for working parents. 

With the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum by the Department of Education under President Benigno Aquino, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Dory Poa as Consultant of the Board for Curriculum Development and Chairman of the Special Task Force on  K+12. In June 2013, Dr. Bee Ching Ong Kian Koc retired and Dr. Dory Poa was appointed as the new College President.

 

»»------ Significant Events (1939-2015) ------«« 

 

1939

 

 1942

 

1945

 

1948

The school moves to its present site on Padre Algue Street, Tondo, Manila with close to 1,000 students.

 

1955

The Board of Trustees approves the offering of a two-year teacher training course to train local Chinese teachers.

 

1956

 

1958

 

 

 

1959

 

 

1965

The school becomes Chiang Kai Shek College, offering two four-year college courses: Bachelor of Secondary Education, majors in 1) Chinese Literature and History, and 2) General Education.

 

1966

The College offers Bachelor of Science in Commerce program with majors in 1) Accounting, 2) Management, and 3) Banking and Finance.

 

1968

The school establishes the Elementary Course; thus, it becomes an institution offering complete education from preschool to college.

 

1973-1976

All Chinese schools in the Philippines are Filipinized by virtue of Presidential Decree 176. Dual curriculum is abolished, and the teaching of Chinese is reduced to two hours every day.

 

1979

 

 

1985

Renovation of school’s Main Building (administration and faculty offices; elementary classrooms) to reinforced concrete structures

 

 

1989

 

 

1990

The school establishes the Language Learning Center.

 

1992

College now offers:

1) Bachelor of Science in
          Computer Science
          Accountancy
          Commerce

2) Bachelor of Secondary Education

 

1994

 

1997

 

1999

College classes move to the campus at 1477 Narra Street.

 

2000

 

2001

The High School Department is granted Level II Accreditation Status by the PAASCU.

 

2003

The Grade School Department is granted Level I Accreditation Status by the PAASCU.

 

2004

 

2007

 

2008

College offers Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

 

2013

 

2014

Renovation of Main Campus facilities:

 

2015

 

2017