MANILA, Philippines – Commission Commissioner Prospero de Vera III said it is up to state universities, not CHED, to implement a “return service” program under the Free Higher Education Act. De Vera dispelled fears that the return services program would impose an additional burden on students, saying these would not be overwhelming for them. All students who will benefit from Republic Act 10931 or the Law on Universal Access to Quality Higher Education are required to perform a return service during their studies, according to CHED Commissioner J. Prospero de Vera. Unlike the DOST Scholarship, the CHED Scholarship does not include a repayment agreement that Fellows must honor after enjoying their benefits. “Winawasak nito ang pinaka-esensya ng batas dahil kung may kapalit na serbisyo, hindi na tunay na libre ang edukasyon sa kolehiyo (It destroys the essence of the law because it is not really considered free university education when the exchange service is required),” Tinio said. MANILA, Philippines – The Higher Education Commission (CHED) has tasked state-funded colleges and universities with developing return programs for students benefiting from the Free Higher Education Act. Why refrain from a return service? Tinio argued that the program “goes beyond the law” and removed the true meaning of “free education” for students. He said higher education would not really be free if students had to work to continue studying at state universities. Students are expected to provide “return of service” while studying at college. If they choose not to meet the requirement, they will have to pay their tuition and withdraw from the scholarship program. Activities may vary from school to school, as CHED stated that it had “maximum flexibility” in determining its “return service program.” During his interpellation, MP Antonio Tinio of the ACT Teachers` Party list said that the obligation to return had no legal basis.
Wait: Tinio also said he would wait for an official order “banning return service as a condition” after CHED committed to the agency`s budget plenary session in the House of Commons. What is the return service? Under the Free Higher Education Act, state and local universities and colleges (SUC and LUC) are responsible for developing “return service” programs for students who receive free tuition and other fees to “give back” to the country to fund their education. “At other universities, they will transform their student support programs into a system of return services. They will use student assistants for their library facilities to help keep the campus clean. We will give universities maximum flexibility to determine their return system,” he added. Nire-rehistro ko on the record na walang legal na batayan ang pagpasok ng CHED sa IRR ng free tertiary education ng return service requirement,” Tinio said. “Universities can set up a return service. This is part of the powers of all universities.
If a university wants to develop a return service, no one can stop it,” said De Vera Rappler on the sidelines of ched`s budget briefing in the Senate on Thursday, September 20. “The law on free higher education is a recognition that higher education is a right and should not require the repatriation of students,” Tinio said. “We will let the respective universities determine the appropriate return system. Some of them, for example, will help the university with its community outreach programs,” De Vera said at a news conference last week. According to an online press release in March, CHED Officer in Charge J. Prospero de Vera III, said that since they are now government academics, it is right that they return the money or favor to the public in the form of service. He added that the “return of service” can involve simple tasks that student assistants perform in most schools, such as. B, put books in the library or plant for campus beautification.
“Ayaw mo mag-return of service, eh di magbayad ka ng tuition fees, this is the provision of the law (if you don`t want to make a return of the service, then you pay the tuition fees, this is the provision of the law),” de Vera said. MANILA — The Higher Education Commission (CHED) has agreed to include the “obligation to return” in the implementing rules and regulations (TRI) of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Higher Education Act. While courses are now free at universities and state colleges1, there are other expenses you need to consider – books, transportation, per diems, and uniforms. Admittedly, these are not free. But De Vera later clarified that the proposal still needed to be considered. He said any order will have to wait because it is not only CHED that will decide the matter. . De Vera said state universities could do so “with or without” the law`s provision on universal access to quality higher education.
According to the 2019 series of CHED Memorandum Order No. 08, CHED Fellows are only eligible for a government-funded scholarship. Once you become a CHED scholarship holder, you will no longer be able to take advantage of other government-funded scholarship programs, such as the DOST Scholarship and the OWWA Scholarship. In the meantime, there are no sections in the GUIDELINES and Guidelines for CHED Scholarships that specify restrictions on a local government-funded scholarship. However, it is always worth asking your CHEDRO about this. Eligible students are recognized through the following programs: These policies must be approved by their respective boards of directors and CHED. Benefits of the UniFAST CHED Higher Education Grant (TES): You must submit your application before the start of the academic year. These are the programs that CHED regional offices will distribute properly based on regional needs and slot availability. .
