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

• Initially offering a six-year Chinese program and four-year English program, Chiang Kai Shek High School is established in Manila with a student population of 273.
• The school is named after Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek.

 

 1942

• World War II; the school sustains damage.
• 14 student and teacher patriots aiding underground activities are killed.

 

1945

• June - Acting principal Huang Chi Hwa opens five review classes for juniors and seniors; leaves for China in October.
• November - Mr. Wong Chun Seng is appointed principal
• December - School reopens

 

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

• March - Principal Wong Chun Seng passes away.
• May - Mr. Yu Khe Thai is appointed principal; Dr. Pao Shih Tien is appointed vice principal.

 

1958

• The Wong Chun Seng Memorial Preschool is established.

 

 

 

1959

• Principal Yu retires.
• Dr. Pao Shih Tien is appointed principal.

 

 

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

• Dr. Pao retires.
• Dr. Jimmy Su takes over as president.

 

 

1985

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

 

 

1989

• Dr. Su retires.
• Mr. Chien Yin Shao is appointed as president.

 

 

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

• Mr. Shao retires.
• Mrs. Joan Sy Cotio takes over as president.

 

1997

• Construction of ten-storey college building on Narra Street commences.
• College offers graduate programs:    
  • Master in Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)

 

1999

College classes move to the campus at 1477 Narra Street.

 

2000

• The High School Department is granted Level I Accreditation Status by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU), an organization with the most rigid quality education standards in the country and one of the three founding members of the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP).

• College offers Bachelor of Science in
    1. Information Technology 
    2. Information Management
• College student population is now 1,153.
  

• Wong Chun Seng Memorial Preschool offers Montessori classes.

 

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

• High School Chinese Instruction Department offers multimedia, computer-assisted classroom instruction.
• College offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

 

2007

• Mrs. Cotio retires.
• Dr. Bee Ching Ong Kian Koc is appointed CKS College president.
• The Grade School Department is granted Level II Accreditation Status by the PAASCU.
• The Language Center (formerly Language Learning Center) moves to the Narra campus. It offers short term courses in Hokkien, Mandarin, English, and Filipino.

 

2008

College offers Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

 

2013

• Dr. Ong Kian Koc retires.
• Dr. Dory Poa is appointed CKS College president.
• Implementation of the Department of Education’s K to 12 Basic Education Program 
• In compliance with the entry-age requirement of K to12, the school adopts a three-year transition program. During the transition phase, academic requirements essential for four (4) grade levels will be covered in three (3) academic years (2013-2016).

 

2014

Renovation of Main Campus facilities:

• Ground floor and basement canteens
• Ground floor cafe
• Mezzanine book and supplies store
• Mini food court on Pao Shih Tien Hall’s ground floor
• Main Administrative Office
• Main Gate
• Drainage systems, basement sump pumps, and ground floor spaces for better damage control during rainy seasons and flooding

 

2015

• School offers Senior High School  (Grades 11 and 12) programs:
  • Academic TrackSports Track
    •  Accountancy and Business Management (ABM)
    •  Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS)
    •  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Technology, Vocational, and Livelihood Track
    • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  • Arts and Design Track
    • Arts Production (Visual Arts, Media Arts) and Performance Arts (Music)
• Renovation continues:
  • Administrative offices
  • Faculty, mezzanine offices
  • Grade School Library
  • Classrooms and hallways
  • Quadrangle
  • New washrooms on ground floor Memorial Building

 

2017

• The Grade School and High School Programs granted Level III Accreditation Status by the PAASCU.