Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing a measure that will improve the education quality and strengthen the governance of Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs).
Based on data presented by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), enrollment in LUCs increased from around 343,000 to 493,000 from 2021 to 2023, an increase of 44%. This makes LUCs the fastest growing segment among higher education institutions (HEIs), Gatchalian noted.
He, however, emphasized the need to ensure that LUCs meet the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). He noted that while 101 LUCs have institutional recognition from the CHED, around 59 are yet to be recognized, which point to issues of education quality.
Gatchalian further pointed out that without institutional accreditation, LUCs are not eligible to receive free higher education under the Universal Access to Quality to Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act No. 10931).
To address these challenges, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 623 or the Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, which seeks to establish a framework for the establishment of LUCs and ensure that they are compliant with CHED requirements.
“We’ll encourage the establishment of LUCs, but we’ll make sure that from the onset, of quality na sila,” said Gatchalian.
Dekalidad na Edukasyon sa Local Universities at Colleges Isinusulong ni Gatchalian
Isinusulong ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang isang panukalang batas na mag-aangat sa kalidad ng edukasyon at magpapatatag sa pamamahala ng mga Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs).
Batay sa datos ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), tumaas ang enrollment sa mga LUC sa 493,000 mula 343,000 noong 2021 hanggang 2023, katumbas ng 44%. Dahil dito, binigyang diin ni Gatchalian na ang LUC ang sektor na pinakamabilis lumaki sa hanay ng higher education institutions (HEIs).
Gayunman, binigyang-diin niya ang pangangailangang matiyak na natutugunan ng mga LUC ang mga pamantayan ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Habang 101 LUCs ang may institutional recognition mula sa CHED, 59 naman dito ang hindi pa binibigyan, bagay na aniya’y nagpapakita ng mga isyu sa kalidad ng edukasyon.
Dagdag pa ni Gatchalian, kung walang institutional accreditation, hindi maaaring makinabang ang mga LUC sa libreng kolehiyo sa ilalim ng Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act No. 10931).
Upang tugunan ang mga hamong ito, inihain ni Gatchalian ang Senate Bill No. 623 o ang Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, kung saan isinusulong ang pagkakaroon ng framework para sa pagtatayo ng mga LUC at matiyak na sumusunod ang mga ito sa mga pamantayan ng CHED.
“Hihikayatin natin ang pagtatayo ng mga LUC, pero sisiguraduhin natin na simula pa lang, dekalidad na sila,” ani Gatchalian.
###
Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN
