Is It The Start Of Free Tuition Fee On June 2018?

About 900,000 Filipino students are about to enjoy free tuition fee in 111 State  Universities and Colleges starting June 2018 as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has finally released the new impementing rules and regulations (IRR).
 Moreover, students belonging to the poorest family may get additional financial assistance aside from their free education. Of course, the government will verify first who will be qualified but it is reported that 500,000 students will receive the conditional cash transfer. Based on the news, qualified students can claim as much as 4,000 pesos weekly allowance to help them with their daily expenses.

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CHED is already working on the implementing rules and regulation so it will all be ready by June 2018, just in time for the school season. Comm. Prospero De Vera said students who enrolled in state colleges and universities will not only get free tuition but also miscellaneous fees. In exchange, students are required to finish their course as scheduled.

In addition, students, rich or poor, with high grades or not, can avail the free tuition from the government as long as they enroll in the 112 state universities and colleges in the country. Moreover, students belonging to the poorest family may get additional financial assistance aside from their free education. Of course, the government will verify first who will be qualified but it is reported that 500,000 students will receive the conditional cash transfer. Based on the news, qualified students can claim as much as 4,000 pesos weekly allowance to help them with their daily expenses.

Newly appointed Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officer-in-charge (OIC) Prospero de Vera III promised to finish the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the free tuition law by next week.

“My commitment is that by February 22, we would finish it and have it signed and put it out publicly after that,” said De Vera on the sidelines of the first Philippines-United Kingdom Transnational Education Conference and Education Fair held on Friday, February 16.

He acknowledged several sectors have expressed their “impatience” over the delay in the publishing of the IRR, which former CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan said was ready for signing as December 5, 2017.

But De Vera, who was appointed as OIC after Licuanan’s resignation last month, said CHED is still ironing out several provisions in the IRR.

He explained it takes time to finish such provisions because Republic Act No. 10931 is a “complicated” law, which no other developing country in Asia has implemented before.

“My answer is, first, it’s a rather complicated law. We’ve never tried it. No developing country in the region has tried it. And so, a lot of the things that we’re intending to do, we’re starting essentially from scratch,” said De Vera.

One tricky set of guidelines involves the national student loan program. De Vera said the provisions are difficult to craft given the bad track record of Filipino students in paying off their loans.

CHED on their social media page had published their official statement that reads:

FREE TUITION FOR STUDENTS IN FULL SWING

Close to 900,000 students in 111 state universities and colleges (SUCs) are enjoying free tuition since June 2017 through the P8.3 Billion realigned by Congress and approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the General Appropriations Act.

Under the 2017 GAA, P8B was given to CHED to reimburse SUCs so they will not collect tuition fees from their students. P300M was allocated to provide free tuition to medical students in 8 SUCs offering medicine like UP Manila, Mariano Marcos State University, University of Northern Philippines, Cagayan State University, Bicol University, West Visayas State University, UP School of Health Sciences in Leyte, and Mindanao State University.


The CHED has downloaded almost P3 billion of the P8B reimbursement to almost all SUCs as of February 2018.

This sum covers Free Tuition granted to 888,799 enrolled students in 111 SUCs in the First Semester of SY 2017-2018. A similar number of students is expected to benefit from Free Tuition in the Second Semester of SY 2017-2018 and paid out of the remaining sum of the P8 Billion.

Almost all of the 112 SUCs have received their financial reimbursements for Free Tuition 2017 based on their Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing submitted to the DBM in 2016. Only two SUCs – Tawi Tawi Regional Agricultural College and Romblon State University – have not received their reimbursement for failure to submit necessary documents in compliance with the Joint Guidelines issued by the DBM and CHED in 2017.

CHED is currently processing billings for payment to all SUCs for their Second Semester enrolment and have advised all SUCs to submit complete requirements on or before February 19, 2018 to expedite payment to them.

On August 3, 2017, President Duterte signed into law RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Higher Education Act to free students enrolled in SUCs and local government created universities and colleges (LUCs) who pass CHED evaluation from paying tuition and miscellaneous fees. Additional stipends will also be provided to poor students for their tertiary education. Congress has allocated P40 Billion in the 2018 General Appropriations Act for this landmark law.

The UniFAST Board will soon publish the enhanced Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10931 to fully implement this law which includes Free Higher Education, Free TVET, Tertiary Education Subsidy, and the Student Loan Program.

(signed)
J. Prospero E. De Vera III, DPA
Officer-in-Charge and Spokesperson
Commission on Higher Education
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New Deped Guidelines on School Field Trips

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The moratorium on field trips and off-campus activities was lifted by the Department of Education (DepEd), likewise issued new implementing guidelines for private and public schools.

The guidelines, issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones in the effect of  Department Order 66, states that it is to be implemented in support of the K to 12 curriculum.

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The guidelines which all co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are as follows:

1. Ensure relevance and alignment with the educational competencies of the K to 12 Curriculum and leadership development of learners.

2. Uphold child protection principles and that no learner shall be disadvantaged in any form; 

3.Observe the safety and security protocols for all participants before, during and after the activity.

Vehicle inspection is also a must before any educational field trips commence.

The Department Order effectively repealed DepEd Memorandum No. 47 series of 2017, which took effect after a tragic bus accident in Rizal on February that killed 13 students including their teacher who were on a field trip, along with the driver.

The CHED had also earlier issued stricter guidelines for educational field trips, which included mandatory insurance for students, scrutinizing the vehicles to be used, and making the activities voluntary.
The memorandum stated that "Participation in all off-campus activities is voluntary. Under no circumstances shall of-campus activities place undue financial burden on the learners and their families. Teachers shall not charge their expenses to learners."

DepEd also reiterated that field trips should not be used as a fund raising or to gain any profit.Source: GMA

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Drug Testing For College - High School Students To Undergo in September

UPDATE:Dep Ed will start drug testing in September. The exact date and schools will not be published. Out of 27 Million students, 60,000 will undergo drug testing.

Junior and senior high school students will be tested. It is the school's responsibility to inform parents and students about the procedures of the drug testing. Staff and teachers will undergo drug testing too!

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has allowed all higher education institutions (HEIs) to conduct Mandatory Drug Testing starting the incoming school year 2018-2019. CHED memorandum order No. 64 was signed by Chairperson Patricia Licuanan on August 2, giving support of the government's unrelenting war against illegal drugs.

The memorandum contains the newly laid-out guidelines for the mandatory drug test. Just to be clear, the order states that "HEIs are not required to implement mandatory drug tests, but they are strongly encouraged by CHED to adopt it as part of their institutional requirements of their admission and retention policies."

Meanwhile, the Department of Education also released a memo last August 8, detailing the guidelines for implementing Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools starting SY 2017-2018 onward.

The guidelines are detailed below:

Mandatory Drug Test For College

• Mandatory Drug Testing in Higher Educational Institutions is NOT REQUIRED by CHED but is strongly encouraged. Colleges and universities MAY INCLUDE mandatory drug testing as part of its requirements for admission and retention.
• Local Government Units, the PNP or any other law enforecement agency may carry out any drug-related operation within the school premises only upon prior written approval and coordination with the HEI.
• Drug testing should only done by accredited drug-testing facilities and staff. A school clinic may apply for accreditation.
• The actual drug testing shall be done randomly in compliance with the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 6, series of 2003 and No. 3 series of 2009. The personal privacy and dignity of students should be respected and guaranteed. The results shall be confidential and CANNOT BE USED in any criminal proceedings.
• All HEIs intending to implement mandatory drug testing of students shall conduct prior student consultation with the student council/government or with not more than ten selected students from recognized organizations in the absence of a student council.
•  The consultation must be completed by end of February before the next Academic Year of implementation (For AY 2018-2019, end of consultation is Feb 2018)
• In case the test result is positive, the school's Drug Testing Coordinator shall inform both the parent and the student concerned that a confirmatory test shall be conducted.
• If the confirmatory test is still positive, the result shall not be a basis for disciplinary action.
• A student found to be drug dependent shall undergo sanction, intervention and or rehabilitation as may be provided in the Student Handbook and other school policies.
• Test results, positive and negative, should not be published and remain confidential. Intervention services should be non-discriminatory.
• The refusal of a student to undergo mandatory drug testing shall be subject to relevant sanctions as provided by the Student Handbook. This however, should not give rise to a presumption of drug use or dependency.
• All fees regarding mandatory drug testing shall be authorized based on CHED, DOH and DDB rules and regulations.
• The mandatory drug testing shall be part of the miscellaneous fees as discussed during consultation and approved by CHED.
• Testing expenses for random drug tests will be supported by the government.
• For student applicants, the fee for drug testing will be borne by the student-applicant.

Random Drug Testing in High School

Policy:

• Not all secondary schools but only SAMPLE SCHOOLS will conduct actual drug testing. These will be both from public and private school. However, all schools are required to prepare with the assumption that they will be included in the sample schools.
• As part of preparation, schools have to inform all involved - including parents - as to the guidelines and procedures of the random drug test. This will be done via parent-teacher conference as well as notification to parent by writing.
• Parents/students must return the acknowledgement receipt. Failure to do so does not exempt a student from inclusion in the sample.
• The DepEd Committee shall inform the head teacher of the selection of his/her school in the coverage of the drug testing within five days from the designated date of the drug testing.
• On the day of the testing, the school and the Random Drug Testing Team shall conduct the random selection of the required number of students to be tested in the school. It shall be done via lottery or through any equivalent manner. The random selection process shall be confidential.
• Students who refuse to undergo random drug testing will be reported to the DepEd Committee. Refusal does not give rise to presumption of drug use.

Procedures:

• Before proceeding with the specimen collection, the students selected shall be given an orientation on the process of drug testing, their rights, and the implications of the drug testing.
• The collection of urine samples and the testing shall strictly follow the guidelines required by the DOH.
• The students will accomplish a drug testing form provided - this includes info on any prescription medicines, vitamins and food supplements they have taken within the past 5 days.
• Students who are ready to give their urine sample shall approach the specimen collector and select his or her own specimen bottle from the table.
• Before specimen collection, the student has to wash and dry his or her hands, empty pockets and remove outer garments (jackets, coats, sweaters). This has to be done in a private collection area supervised by a specimen collector of the same gender.
• The collection of the urine sample shall be conducted. The student shall submit the urine sample to the specimen collector who will examine the sample in the presence of the student.
• The student shall affix his or her signature and the date and time of collection to a sealing tape. The collector will seal the bottle in the presence of the student.
• The collector and the student shall then sign the drug testing form.
• All specimen shall be given to the custody of the DOH for testing.

Results:

• The results of the testing should be issued within 15 days.
• A positive result will require confirmatory tests.
• The names per school of all who tested negative will be summarized in a result form. Positive results based on confirmatory tests will be reported in individual result forms.
• All will be placed in a sealed envelope, marked as confidential, and submitted to the Dep Ed Secretary.
• The Secretary of Health shall inform the relevant schools of the results. The school will inform parents and students. Everything should be kept confidential and private.
• Positive confirmatory result shall not be a ground for expulsion or any disciplinary action against the student and should not be reflected in any or all academic records.
• For students who tested positive, the school will set up a conference with the student, parents and a physician to discuss issues of drug use and dependency. All will be set up confidentially.
• After the conference, the school shall refer the student and his/her parents to a drug facility to asses and evaluate the student and plan treatment.
• Drug dependent students shall be referred to DSWD for counseling and intervention. The parent may also choose private or government rehabilitation center or program.
• If the student shows no signs of improvement of recovery, or fails a second drug test, or if the parents refuse to act on the student's drug dependence, the student may be referred to a higher facility and may be subject to compulsory confinement in accordance with Sec. 61 of RA 9165.

Schedule:

• Drug testing in public secondary schools will be conducted in the current SY 2017-2018.
• Drug testing in private secondary schools will be conducted no later than SY 2018-2019.
• Schools that refuse to implement random drug testing program shall be reported to the PDEA and the DDB for appropriate action.
• The Secretary of Education will determine the date of the drug testing.

To read the full guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education adn the Department of Education, see sources below.

sources: DepEd, CHED, DDB

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ACT Teachers Partylist: Budget for 2018 Free Tuition Removed

If the statement of two ACT Teachers Representative were true, parents with students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) as well as those who are planning to enroll in SUCs will be greatly affected by this "bad news."

In a statement, ACT Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro revealed that Duterte Administration has not allotted enough funds for free higher education in its budget proposal for 2018.

They said the overall budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will decrease by P6.29 billion next year.

Read:112 State Universities and Colleges may give free full tuition after the passage of Senate Bill 1304

It is because the proposed budget for CHED in 2018 is only P12.42 billion.

This budget is 33.6% lower than P18.7 billion budget for this year.

In the 2017 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the Senate realigned P8.3 billion for student financial assistance.


Read: It's Free! State College and State Universities Tuition This Year!

But in 2018 NEP submitted to Malacañang, the program is discontinued and omitted the higher education support fund, currently covered in the 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA) under special provision 2 of the CHEd budget.

Also missing from the 2018 NEP is the GAA’s special provision 6 under the budget for SUCs, which provides for P3 million in cash grants to medical students for the current year.

Read: Free Tuition For Medical Students in 8 Universities

“This is a huge step backward for the administration—its dismissal of the people’s demand for higher budgets for education,” Castro said.

Tinio, for his part, said tuition in SUCs should be kept free because “the state can afford to allocate funds for education at the tertiary level.”

Meanwhile, Tinio is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Bill, which was already approved by both houses of the Congress.

He said Duterte had not yet signed the bill that has already submitted to the President on July 5.

Read: Free Higher Education For All Will Become Law By August 5 or Earlier

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