What is CHED?

Education has always been at the center of the Philippines’ socio-cultural and economic development; therefore, the government has implemented appropriate policies. Republic Act No. 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, is the most notable initiative that led to the establishment of CHED.

Furthermore, CHED was a strategic step towards improving the overall education system of the Philippines, which has helped to increase the accessibility of higher education across the country. In effect, Filipino students can pursue skill-oriented courses and programs and gain access to financial assistance.

But what is CHED? Let’s find out:

What is CHED?

CHED, or the Commission on Higher Education, is a prominent government agency in the Philippines that regulates higher education. Ever since the establishment of the agency in 1994, it has served to foster relevant and high-quality education across the country.

The agency operates under the office of the president and makes sure that the higher education institutions and their programs meet global standards and help to prepare competent graduates. CHED shoulders a wide array of responsibilities, which include developing and suggesting policies, plans, and programs for research and higher education improvement.

Moreover, CHED monitors the institutional performance and program effectiveness and carries out specific measures to ensure academic quality.

Important Functionalities of CHED

The Commission on Higher Education carries out various functions apart, which are as follows:

Policy Formulation and Implementation

The agency develops and implements appropriate policies, guidelines, and standards after considerable research and deliberation. These policies establish benchmarks for curriculum standards, faculty’s professional development, the accreditation process, and students’ overall well-being.

In effect, higher educationals (HEIs) strive to adhere to the set standards for their core activities and programs.

Program Authorization

CHED analyzes and reviews new academic programs through a systematic process that determines whether or not the program complies with the stipulated policies, standards and guidelines. This authorization helps to create a benchmark for quality and relevance that all educational programs in the Philippines must follow accordingly.

Monitoring and Evaluation

CHED is the primary authoritative government body of education in the Philippines; therefore, it prioritzes monitoring and evaluation of academic programs and institutes. Hence, the evaluation includes the regular assessment of HEIs and their performance against the pre-established criteria and standards.

On the other hand, program evaluations, site visits, and performance analysis are crucial methods that help to identify weak areas. Plus, it empowers institutions to adhere to national standards and play a key role in the attainment of national development goals.

Identification and Development of Centers of Excellence

CHED identifies and provides necessary support for the development of Centers of Excellence (COE) and Centers of Development (CODs). This is a targeted approach that helps to recognize and support HEIs that have demonstrated excellence in leadership and best practices in particular program areas and academic disciplines.

Also, the establishment of COEs and CODs enables educational institutions to get the necessary resources for advancement and specialization, including funds. These centers ultimately inspire other higher educational institutes to improve their overall functionalities.

Administration of the Higher Education Development Fund

The Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) is a significant fund that the government sources from a part of the travel tax collections and professional registration fees. CHED is responsible for the management and disbursement of HEDF, which is crucial to sponsor various initiatives.

Moreover, this fund is instrumental in improving the tertiary education’s overall quality, relevance, and accessibility. Eligible educational institutions can apply and obtain HEDF, helping to develop institutional infrastructure and upgrade equipment and facilities. At the same time, colleges and universities can provide financial assistance and scholarships to students.

The Impact of CHED on the Philippines’ Education System

CHED’s initiatives make a considerable difference in the Philippines’ education system by fostering various components of institutional improvement, leading to a significant impact as follows:

Improved Program Relevance

Programs and courses continue to evolve with respect to the socio-economic development; hence, what might be relevant ten years ago might not be in the future. That is why CHED emphasizes the alignment of educational programs with the national development goals.

Consequently, students get to learn in-demand skills and knowledge and are well-prepared to navigate the competitive job environment and contribute to the country’s workforce and economy.

Increased Access to Higher Education

Financial constraints pose a major obstacle to accessing education; that is where CHED provides the necessary student support through various scholarships and financial aid programs. For example, the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, Tertiary Education Subsidy, and Tulong Dunong enable eligible students to pursue tertiary education.

These initiatives alleviate financial burden by covering tuition and school fees and other educational expenses. Additionally, the government agency supports the expansion of academic programs and institutional infrastructure within Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

As a result, students from disadvantaged regions and socioeconomically weaker regions can pursue or complete higher education.

Greater Accountability and Transparency

The agency enforces quality assurance mechanisms like the Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) and identifies Centers of Excellence/Development. Hence, educational institutes carry out systematic self-evaluation and external review procedures.

Moreover, it establishes guidelines and standards for faculty qualifications, academic programs, and institutional operations. This mandates that institutes maintain transparency in their resource utilization and organizational performance.

Also, the agency shares specific information related to institutional quality and compliance with the general public, which enables stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Internationalization

CHED promotes internationalization through various strategies and initiatives, which enable the Philippines' educational institutes to collaborate with institutes abroad. Higher educational institutes also conduct joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programs, etc.

What’s more, the agency encourages institutes to participate in the global ranking systems and compare their academic programs and institutional practices against international standards. This ultimately helps them identify problem areas and recurrent shortcomings.

Stronger Industry-Academic Collaborations

CHED fosters stronger industry-academic collaborations, as it is key to closing the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Therefore, it encourages institutes to develop the curriculum by inculcating industry input, which will help students with relevant educational experience.

On the other hand, it facilitates faculty immersion programs across several industries, allowing educators to update their knowledge and instructional methods. Internships and on-the-job training help students to gain real-world experience. By facilitating collaborative projects and strengthening industry-academic relations, CHED creates a dynamic educational environment.