ANGELES CITY- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has fully backed the plans of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to enforce its policies and standards in both public and private higher education schools, including those established by local government units (LGUs).
In a letter to CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles, Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez said that “the authority jurisdiction of the CHED over both public and private higher education institutions of learning, including the imposition of reasonable regulations, cannot be doubted”.
This, after some sectors expressed doubt on the authority of CHED to draw up standards for local universities and colleges (LUC’s) established by local governments through local legislation in various parts of the country.
Angeles said that the plan, following an agreement forged between the CHED and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its implementation, came on the heels of reports of lack of facilities in some LUC’s.
“CHED’s move to standardize the LUCs came following numerous complaints received by the Commission on the alleged mediocre standards in many of LGU-run universities,” Angeles said.
The complaints cited lack of qualified teachers as well as lack of facilities as laboratories, library and instructional materials. Low passing rate in licensure exams and qualified faculty was also noted in such schools.
In his letter, Gonzalez cited provisions of Republic Act No. 7722 which created the CHED, stating that “the commission shall be independent and separate” from the Department of Education and “attached to the office of the president for administrative purposes only”.
“Its coverage shall be both public and private institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting programs in all post secondary education institutions, public and private,” he said.
Gonzalez said that the law allows the CHED to “set minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning recommended by panels of experts in the field and subject to public hearing and enforce the same”.
He also stressed that the CHED has the authority to “monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and institutions of higher learning for appropriate incentives as well as the imposition of sanctions such as but not limited to diminution or withdrawal of accreditation, program termination or school closure”
Such provisions were cited in the agreement between CHED and the DILG now being implemented nationwide.
Gonzalez said CHED can also “recommend to the Department of Budget and Management the budgets of public institutions of higher learning as well as general guidelines for the use of their income.”
Citing the Local Government Code, Gonzalez clarified that “the power of the LGU’s is limited to the creation and operation of vocational and technical schools and similar post secondary institutions”, subject to the approval of the education department.
“While the provision does not absolutely prohibit LGU’s from establishing higher education institution, the same can only be done with the approval of the CHED and subject to the provisions of RA 7722,” he added.
In a letter to CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles, Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez said that “the authority jurisdiction of the CHED over both public and private higher education institutions of learning, including the imposition of reasonable regulations, cannot be doubted”.
This, after some sectors expressed doubt on the authority of CHED to draw up standards for local universities and colleges (LUC’s) established by local governments through local legislation in various parts of the country.
Angeles said that the plan, following an agreement forged between the CHED and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its implementation, came on the heels of reports of lack of facilities in some LUC’s.
“CHED’s move to standardize the LUCs came following numerous complaints received by the Commission on the alleged mediocre standards in many of LGU-run universities,” Angeles said.
The complaints cited lack of qualified teachers as well as lack of facilities as laboratories, library and instructional materials. Low passing rate in licensure exams and qualified faculty was also noted in such schools.
In his letter, Gonzalez cited provisions of Republic Act No. 7722 which created the CHED, stating that “the commission shall be independent and separate” from the Department of Education and “attached to the office of the president for administrative purposes only”.
“Its coverage shall be both public and private institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting programs in all post secondary education institutions, public and private,” he said.
Gonzalez said that the law allows the CHED to “set minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning recommended by panels of experts in the field and subject to public hearing and enforce the same”.
He also stressed that the CHED has the authority to “monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and institutions of higher learning for appropriate incentives as well as the imposition of sanctions such as but not limited to diminution or withdrawal of accreditation, program termination or school closure”
Such provisions were cited in the agreement between CHED and the DILG now being implemented nationwide.
Gonzalez said CHED can also “recommend to the Department of Budget and Management the budgets of public institutions of higher learning as well as general guidelines for the use of their income.”
Citing the Local Government Code, Gonzalez clarified that “the power of the LGU’s is limited to the creation and operation of vocational and technical schools and similar post secondary institutions”, subject to the approval of the education department.
“While the provision does not absolutely prohibit LGU’s from establishing higher education institution, the same can only be done with the approval of the CHED and subject to the provisions of RA 7722,” he added.
