What is CHED?

Introduction

The Philippines’ education system has undergone a massive transformation in the last few years, owing to the evolving educational requirements. Adopting strategic policies and initiatives has been central to bringing noticeable changes in academic methods and structure.

That is where the Commission on Higher Education, also known as CHED, has played an instrumental role in elevating higher education in the Philippines to global standards. In effect, students gain access to quality education, helping them learn in-demand skills and competencies.

But what is CHED, and how does it regulate the higher or advanced education system in the Philippines? Let us find out:

What is CHED?

CHED, or Commission on Higher Education, is the Philippines’ government organization that regulates and manages the country’s higher education framework. During President Fidel V. Ramos' administration, Republic Act No. 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, was enacted. It also led to the creation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on May 18, 1994.

The government developed the commission with the objective of creating a particular body that can focus and scrutinize higher education accordingly. But what does it do? Well, the organization develops plans, projects, or campaigns to implement quality control and set and monitor benchmarks.

Furthermore, the commission oversees and regulates the country’s public and private higher educational institutes. In effect, it sets academic standards, policies, and curricula, ensuring that the institutes adhere to them.

It seems that CHED plays a crucial role in the Philippines’ Higher education system therefore, it is only fitting to take an in-depth look at it.

Role of CHED in the Philippines’ Education System

CHED is the primary government agency that establishes or changes policies and guidelines for schools, colleges, and other higher educational institutes across the country. Some of its significant responsibilities include the following:

Strategy Detailing

The organization establishes standards or directives according to which higher educational institutes can implement programs or courses. It provides a framework to carry out strategies to improve program effectiveness, develop research activities, and empower faculty and staff.

Program Authorization

It authorizes academic or scholarly projects that colleges and educational institutes facilitate, ensuring quality control and benchmark fulfillment. In effect, it assures that students will graduate with the required competencies to help them succeed in their respective fields.

Staff Advancement

Competent and qualified teachers are the backbone of an education ecosystem; hence, CHED provides several projects, helping to improve instructors’s professional capabilities. Additionally, it includes grants, awards, and prep programs, motivating teachers to self-upgrade themselves.

Quality Confirmation

Are the institutes following standard practices? Do educational programs and courses meet the guidelines? The organization addresses such questions by carrying out a comprehensive review of the institute and programs. In case of any inconsistencies, the institutes receive suggestions for improvement.

Innovative Work

CHED urges institutes to facilitate innovative work through research activities that address cultural issues. It fosters partnerships and collaborations between academic institutions, industry, and government agencies.

Awards and Monetary Help

It provides various awards and grants to institutes to promote excellence and development in education. For example, it offers research grants, infrastructure development grants, student financial assistance, faculty development grants, etc.

CHED’s Impact on Advanced Education

Quality maintenance, continuous improvement, innovation, and research are central to CHED’s overall impact on the Philippines’ educational system. Furthermore, it has a significant impact, such as:

Increasing Scholastic Expectations

It has established stringent norms and directives through accreditation standards and program evaluation mechanisms. What difference does that make? Well, it motivates institutes to make appropriate adjustments and adhere to the criteria of academic excellence.

Advancing Internationalization

Elevating a country’s education system requires strategic action plans that help students get optimum exposure to local and global opportunities. Therefore, the commission encourages institutes to engage in partnerships with international institutions.

Furthermore, it provides grants, which help institutes in their internationalization efforts and promote cultural exchange programs.

Growing Admittance to Higher Education

Socio-economic problems, geographical disparities, and limited facilities are key issues that negatively impact the country’s education system. However, CHED’s policies and programs strive to provide access to higher education to people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

For instance, it provides student loans, grants, and scholarships and has established open universities and distance education programs to reach students in remote areas.

Expanding Research Capacities

The commission’s emphasis on research and innovation has led to the gradual expansion of research activities in many educational institutes. Moreover, it motivates colleges and universities to facilitate partnerships with foreign universities and research institutes.

As a result, it allows Filipino students and researchers to gain insights into new ideas and methodologies. Also, it increases the global visibility of the Philippine research initiatives.

Professional Development Opportunities

Teachers are the facilitators of education; hence, they must possess the relevant skills and knowledge to cope with the learning demands. Therefore, the government organization offers a wide variety of faculty development programs.

For example, it conducts workshops and seminars on teaching and learning methodologies, conferences on research and innovation, etc.

How does CHED work?

The Commission of Higher Education (CHED) has a central establishment in Manila and 17 regional offices throughout the Philippines. It works with higher educational institutes and government organizations to assure quality, relevance, and high-quality education. Besides, it operates primarily through the following methods:

Guaranteeing Quality and Greatness

The commission sets standards and expects educational institutes to adhere to them by carrying out necessary changes and adjustments.

Advancing Access and Value

One of its central goals is to ensure quality education for all Filipinos through appropriate policies and campaigns, leading to high student enrollment.

Improving Significance and Responsiveness

It engages with various stakeholders, including students, faculty, institutions, industry, and government agencies actively. In effect, it helps to ascertain that the policies and programs address the needs and concerns.

Moreover, it prioritizes policies and programs that align with national development goals and ensures that high-quality education contributes to students’ overall improvement.

Fostering Productivity and Viability

It encourages institutes to take accountability for their performance, urging the latter to be more responsive and efficient to institutional needs. Also, thanks to the predetermined standards, institutes strive to improve their programs continuously.

CHED’s Vision for the Future

The commission is determined to focus its efforts on promoting sustainable development through higher education. In addition, it aims to elevate the quality of higher education through the following measures:

Strengthen Industry-Academic Connections

CHED envisions the Philippines to be a major contributor to global research and innovation, helping to foster a culture of creativity and innovation. As a result, higher educational institutes will succeed in preparing graduates who are ready to take up different challenges.

Promote Deep-rooted Learning

It encourages educational institutes to adopt strategies that help them identify gaps and inefficiencies. What’s more is that the commission promotes curriculum reform, faculty development, assessment reform, and student-centered learning. All of these factors lead to deep-rooted learning.

Encourage Development and Partnership

It promotes industry collaborations and partnerships, helping to facilitate knowledge exchange and research activities. Also, it supports the development of entrepreneurship education programs in higher education institutions. In effect, students gain relevant skills and knowledge that are fit to start a business and create jobs.

Improvement Mechanisms

CHED will strive to continuously enhance the quality of higher education projects and examinations by incorporating practical standards for improvement.