CHALLENGES AND ISSUES IN

RP HIGHER EDUCATION
By: Mary Kathleen Dequilla
Christine Grace Gumban
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7722 OR HIGHER
EDUCATION ACT
 Responsible in formulating and recommending
development plan, policies, priorities, and programs on
higher education and research, set standards, monitor
and evaluate the performance of the programs for
incentives as well as imposing sanctions in order to
achieve the development of world-class scholarship,
nation building and national development.
BASIC FEATURES OF PHILIPPINE HIGHER
EDUCATION
 There two types of institution (HEIs) operating in the country:
(a.) public -11%
(b.) private-89%
Public HEIs- established by law and financially supported by the
national government.
Private HEIs- either sectarian or non- sectarian.
Sectarian- non- stock, non- profit institutions owned by religious
orders.
Non- sectarian- owned by corporations which are not affiliated
with any religious organizations.
QUALITY ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK

Three governing bodies in education:

 Commission on Higher education(CHED)- undergraduate and
graduate education.
 Department of Education (DepEd)- basic education.
 Technical Education and skills Development Authority (TESDA)-
for non-degree
FIRST ISSUE
Only a small proportion of the HEIs can be considered as
offering a very high quality program. Many HEIs programs
operate at a minimum standards only and in some cases even
below the standards.
CHALLENGE
A need to develop a very good policy environment in
giving incentives they must encourage many HEIs to pursue
vigorous efforts towards instituting quality assurance
institutions.
SECOND ISSUE

Performance of graduates in the licensure examinations has

been declining (the percentage of those who fail in the licensure
examinations is larger than those who pass)

CHALLENGE
New curriculum for teacher education has been devised and
intensive training of student teachers has been instituted.
THIRD ISSUE

Quality assurance mechanism should be viewed in a holistic

rather than piece meal basis to bring out the best in Philippine
higher education.

CHALLENGE
The Commission must double its effort in updating
policies and standards for each program.
Uniform systems and processes and comparable
standards in granting accreditation status to the
programs of HEIs.
FOURTH ISSUE

Many HEIs have poor research capability.

CHALLENGE
Research- related rituals, practices and tradition
including team research and mentorship.
Existing organizational structure for research.
FIFTH ISSUE

There is a mismatch between the knowledge and skills

acquired by the graduates and what industry needs.

CHALLENGE
Planning of human resources summit between the Commission
and the Department of Labor to determine the programs with
the highest potential of job marketability
CONCLUSION

The Commission has undertaken major

initiatives in quality assurance. the
Commission has undertaken major initiatives
in quality assurance that have an overarching
goal which is to develop the Philippines as a
regional knowledge center in the Asia Pacific
region especially in disciplines where
Philippine HEIs have a distinctive
competitive edge.