FREE ESSAY ON POWERS OF CHED

POWERS OF CHED

I. Introduction
Under Article XIV of the Constitution of the Philippines specifically under Sec. 1 states
that "The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education
at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all."
This means that every citizen whether at Level 1, 2 or 3 shall be entitled to quality
education and that the government should take actions to ensure that this right from the
constitution that is granted to the citizen will not be infringed and that quality
education will be provided and accessible to all.
To ensure that quality education is given to the citizens of the Philippines, the
government had vested its powers to different administrative agency to make sure that
this right granted to the citizens will not be infringed. The Department of Education for
Culture and Sports (DECS) is an example of an administrative agency that was created to
ensure that quality education is given to the citizens at all levels. In 1994, the
commission on Higher Education (CHED) was created to govern mainly the higher education
or otherwise known as the tertiary education. 
The Commission is a body independent and separate from the DECS, and attached to the
Office of the President for administrative purposes only. Its coverage shall be both
public and private institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting programs
in all post secondary educational institutions, public and private. 
As a Commission created to govern the higher education, it follows the mission of
"gearing higher education towards the pursuit of better quality of life for all Filipinos
by emphasizing the acquisition of knowledge and formation of those skills necessary to
make individual a productive member of society. It shall accelerate the development of
high-level professionals who will search for new knowledge, and provide leadership in the
various disciplines required by a dynamic and self assuring economy." In short, the
mission of the CHED is what is stated in Sec. 1 of Article XIV of the constitution, which
is to provide quality education to the citizens and make education accessible to the
citizens.
In Sec. 2 of RA 7722, the same is mentioned. The state shall protect, foster, promote the
right of all citizens to affordable quality education at all levels and shall take
appropriate steps to ensure that education shall be accessible to all. The State shall
likewise ensure and protect academic freedom and shall promote its exercise and
observance for the continuing intellectual growth, the advancement of learning and
research, the development of responsible and effective leadership, the education of
high-level and middle-level professionals and the enrichment of our historical and
cultural heritage.
State-supported institutions of higher learning shall gear their programs to national,
regional or local development plans. Finally, all institutions of higher learning shall
exemplify through their physical and natural surrounding the dignity and beauty of as
well as their pride in, the intellectual and scholarly life. 
In short, the main mission or goal of the CHED is what is stated in Sec 1 of Article XIV
of the constitution, which is to provide quality education to the public and to ensure
its accessibility to all.
Moreover, to achieve Sec. 2 of RA 7722, which is to ensure quality and accessible
education, powers are granted to the CHED. Some powers which are obtained transitory from
the DECS, meaning the powers of DECS in governing tertiary education are transferred to
the CHED. This is in Sec. 18 of RA 7722. Such personnel, properties, assets and
liabilities, functions and responsibilities of the Bureau of Higher education, including
those for higher and tertiary education and degree-granting vocational and technical
programs in the regional offices, under the DECS and other government entities having
function similar to those of the Commission are herby transferred to the Commission. From
this it is established that the powers that were once granted to DECS in governing the
tertiary education are hereby transferred to the CHED.
To ensure accessibility of education, one of the most prominent factor will be the
tuition fee. The rate at which the tuition fee is established will determine the
accessibility of the school, thereby to ensure accessibility for students, tuitions fees
should be regulated by the CHED. 
To be able to regulate the increase of tuition the implementation of the rules and
regulation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 451 was issued. This was to govern increase in
tuition fee and other school charges of private schools beginning the school year
1975-1976. Under Sec. 2 of PD 451 "The Secretary of Education and culture has the
authority to regulate on any increase or change in the rates of tuition fee and other
school charges collected from students or their parents by all private schools. Any
increase or change in the approved rates, including new tuition fee and/or other school
charges, of private schools shall not be effective without the prior approval of the
Secretary of Education and Culture. Any violation shall be considered unlawful and
subject to the penal provision of the law." 
Moreover, in the implementation of RA 8292 or otherwise known as the Higher Modernization
Act of 1997, which is an act providing for the uniform composition and powers of the
governing boards, the manner of appointment term of office of the president of chartered
state universities and colleges and for other purposes. In pursuant to Sec. 4 of RA 8292,
which is "the governing board shall have the following specific powers and duties in
addition to its general powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers
granted to the board of directors under Sec. 36 of BP Blg. 68, otherwise known as the
Corporation Code of the Philippines." 
Furthermore, under paragraph A of Sec. 4 the government board "can enact rules and
regulations not contrary to law as my be necessary to carry out the purposes and
functions of the university or college". Also Paragraph E of Sec. 4 which specifies that
the government board shall "adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school
fees for greater access to poor but deserving students." 
II. Definition of Terms
a.) Tuition Fee- covers the school charge for the course or subjects enrolled in by
students as indicated in the respective prospectuses, bulletins of information, or
catalogues of private schools, which may either be paid on a monthly, semestral, or
yearly basis, or per unit or units.
b.) Other school fees- include all miscellaneous fees charged for certain specific
services rendered by private schools to students, which may be paid either on a monthly
semestral, or yearly basis, as embodied in their respective prospectuses bulletins of
information, or catalogues, which are collected and earmarked for the specific purposes
intended pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations.
c.) Current school Fees- means the tuition fee and other school charges of a private
school as approved bye the secretary of education and culture.
d.) Increase in Fees-means any addiction in the amount of the current tuition fee or
other school charges as defined in sub-sections a, b and c herein.
e.) New Fee or Charge- means those which are imposed by new school or by existing
schools, which are not included in their previously approved rates of school fees.
f.) Private school-includes all private education institutions duly authorized to operate
any course by the secretary of education and culture
g.) Student- refers to all enrollees in all level in a private school
h.) School Administration- includes all departments offices, or units of a private
school. 
III. Research Problem
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) enacted an order which prohibited tuition fee
increase by private colleges and universities for the next school year 2001-2002. The
Order of the CHED was based on the financial difficulty being experienced by many parents
in sending their children to private schools. A group of private colleges questioned the
order with respect to tuition fee, or its increases for that matter. CHED maintains that
with the Higher Education Act of 1995 all functions and powers previously exercised by
the DECS for higher education had been transferred to it.
The research problem is very clearly stated, it is to find out whether the order of
prohibiting the increase of tuition was valid and whether the CHED did have the power as
previously exercised by the DECS. 
IV. Research Procedures
Upon the receiving the situation for the problem, the author immediately read the
problem. Upon reading the problem, the author carefully analyzed the problem and started
to take down keywords which could help the author in his search. Also, the author tried
to identify what the main issues are, to be able to determine the direction of where the
research is going. 
After carefully analyzing the problem, the author wrote down all the possible keywords
that can be used in the search. The author first visited the library of De La Salle
University. Upon entering the library the author directly went to the second floor and
search the Lex Libris, and the Phil. Juris. The author entered the keywords in the Lex
law to be able to determine what powers the CHED had and this is how the author knew of
RA 7722 which is known as the Higher Education Act. The author immediately followed his
search on the Jurisprudence and hence found some cases that are related to the topic.
Wanting for more information the author followed up his search in the internet. The
author search from www.googles.com and was successful in finding many secondary resources
regarding the higher education or the tertiary education. As well, the author was able to
find RA 8292 which is another relevant act to the research and is known as the Higher
Education Modernization Act of 1997.
The problems encountered in the search was the lack of resources available regarding the
CHED. The CHED being enacted just 1994 made it impossible to find sufficient resources in
the library as the author found that the resources available in the library was mostly
outdated and does not cover the new provisions provided for the CHED. Fortunately,
because of the internet the author was able to find the sufficient resources needed and
will be able to start writing the paper.
V. Statement of Issues
The main issue of this case is whether or not the order to prohibit the increase of
tuition fee by the Commission on Higher Education is valid.
However, before the main issue will be resolved, it must first be shown whether or not
the power on Higher Education of the Department of Education for Culture and Sports was
indeed transferred to the Commission of Higher Education and thus giving CHED the
authority to regulate tuition fees.
VI. Discussion of Issues
A. Whether or not the power on Higher Education of the Department of Education for
Culture and Sports was indeed transferred to the Commission of Higher Education.
In determining whether the power of DECS on governing tertiary education was indeed
transferred to the CHED, the provisions on RA 7722 should be closely examined.
It is important that this issue be established because this will determine whether CHED
has the power to issue such order and later on, allow to determine whether the order was
indeed valid.
In examining the provisions of RA 7722 specifically SEC. 18, there was indeed the
transfer of power from the DECS to the CHED in governing the tertiary education. Sec. 18
is as follow:
Transitory Provisions- Such personnel, properties, assets, and liabilities, functions and
responsibilities of the Bureau of Higher Education, including those for higher and
tertiary education and degree-granting vocational and technical programs in the regional
offices, under the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and other government
entities having functions similar to those of the Commission are hereby transferred to
the Commission.
The Commission shall have the authority to appoint its own personnel.
All regular or permanent employees transferred to the Commission shall not suffer any
loss of seniority or rank or decrease in emoluments. Personnel of the Bureau of Higher
Education not otherwise transferred to the Commission shall be reassigned by the DECS in
any of its office and bureaus: Provided, however, That, any employee who cannot be
accommodated shall be given all the benefits as may be provided under existing laws,
rules and regulations
Jurisdiction over DECS-supervised or chartered state-supported post-secondary
degree-granting vocational and technical programs and tertiary institutions shall be
transferred to the Commission. 
In the Section excerpted above, it is basically discussing the powers that are being
transferred to the CHED by the DECS. It specifically states that the governing power of
DECS on tertiary education will be transferred to the CHED thereby giving the CHED the
same power as the DECS had on the tertiary education or Higher education.
Furthermore, the section enumerates the delegation of the worker due to the enactment on
CHED. The provisions clearly specify rules and regulations in favor of the workers and
that in cases they are not transferred to the CHED, they shall maintain with the DECS
without losing their seniority rights.
From Section 18 of RA 7722 alone it is established that powers from the DECS were
transferred to the CHED, thus giving the CHED the power to act, and implement rules and
regulations.
B. Whether or not the order to prohibit the increase of tuition fee by the Commission on
Higher Education is valid.
Now that it is established that the power of DECS was indeed transferred to the CHED. It
is clear that CHED will have all the power to govern the higher education or the tertiary
education. However, the issue whether the order to prohibit the increase of tuition fee
is valid, still remains.
To determine whether the order issued is valid or invalid, the author researched on the
law governing the powers of the Secretary of Education, and as well researched on
Jurisprudence that dealt with question of the validity of the order of the Secretary of
Education.
In the search for the laws governing the power of the Secretary of Education, the
researcher found two laws that gave the Secretary of Education the authority to regulate
the increase on tuition fees. The first law being from SEC. 2 of PD No. 451. "The
Secretary of Education and Culture has the authority to regulate any increase or change
in the rate of tuitions and or other school fees or charges collected from pupils or
students and/or their parents by all private schools, colleges, and universities" 
Also in SEC. 57 and 70 of Batasang Pambansa Blg. 232 or otherwise known as the Education
Act of 1982 the same is mentioned. In Sec. 57 paragraph 3 it states that "the Ministry
shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administrations, supervision and
regulation of the educations system in accordance with declared party." And Sec. 70
states "The Minister of Educatoin and Culture, charged with the administration and
enforcement of this Act, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
regulation." 
From the provisions stated above namely Sec. 2 of PD No. 451, SEC 57 (3) and SEC 70 of BP
No. 232, the secretary of education which in this case is the CHED is given the authority
to indeed regulate the tuition fee of the higher education, and thus, the order of
prohibiting the increase of tuition fee for the school year 2001-2002 is valid.
Furthermore, the author consulted the jurisprudence to be sure that the order given by
the CHED is indeed valid. In the case of Jose D. Lina Jr., petitioner, vs Isidro D.
Carino in his capacity as Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports, respondent, where
the petitioner was questioning the authority of the secretary of education in his
issuance of DECS order No. 30 whereby it outlines the rate of increase in tuition which
all schools should follow. The issue was "whether DECS order no. 30 is valid, that is,
whether respondent DECS secretary has the legal authority to issue DECS order no. 30
prescribing guidelines concerning increases in tuition and other school fees." 
The court basing the facts on the case of Philippine Consumers Foundation, Inc. vs. the
Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports, maintained that the DECS order No. 30 was
indeed valid and thus, should be implemented by the schools. It followed that "since no
other government agency was vested with the authority to fix the maximum school fees,
that power should be considered with the DECS Secretary." 
With this as a fact on the Jurisprudence of the Philippines, thereby, the Secretary of
Education indeed has the authority to regulate the rate of tuition fees of the schools.
The secretary of Education in this case being the CHED, as proven in the previous issue
that the powers of DECS on the higher Education were transferred to the CHED thereby
giving the CHED the power the DECS had before on the higher education.
Needless to say, the order issued by the Commission on Higher Education was valid for the
reason that the CHED maintains the power to regulate the tuition fees of the school as
provided in sec. 2 of PD no. 451, sec. 57(3) and sec. 70 of BP. Blg. No. 232, and lastly
the jurisprudence giving the Secretary of Education the authority to regulate the tuition
fees of the schools.
VII. Statement of Position and Conclusions
Having presented all the facts the author holds that the orders issued by the Commission
on Higher Education prohibiting the increase of tuition fee for the school year 2001-2002
valid. The order is valid because the Commission on Higher Education had the authority to
regulate the rate of tuition fee as prescribed in the Presidential Decree No. 451 and
Batasang Pambansa blg. 232. 
Moreover, it is prescribed in the constitution that education should be made accessible
to all the citizens of the Philippines, and that the state shall ensure that the citizens
are given access to a better education. With the order of the CHED in prohibiting the
increase of the tuition fee, it was ensured that this right under the constitution is not
infringed, as the administrative body of the government took step to ensure that the
citizens will not be deprived in access to education by prohibiting the increase of the
tuition fees especially at the time when the citizens are having financial difficulty.
Furthermore, in the Higher education modernization act of 1997 it is further specified
under section 4 (e) of the act that a socialized scheme in determining the rate of
tuition fee. It specifically states that the tuition fee should provide "greater access
to the poor", thus in this case, issuing an order prohibiting the increase of tuition fee
for the year 2001-2002 is beneficiary to the poor and will provide them with a greater
access as the issue of the CHED was to ensure that education does not become burdensome
to parents who experience financial difficulty.
Lastly, the jurisprudence of the Philippines had shown that the authority to issue and
order regarding the regulation on the tuition fees rests in the hands of the Secretary of
Education which in this case is the CHED. In both cases presented above, the court had
affirmed that the Secretary of Educations indeed has the right to regulate the tuition
fee of the schools.
VIII. Bibliography
BOOKS
Bernas, Joaquin. Constitutional Rights & Social Demands. 
Manila, Rex Bookstore. (1996)
Dizon, Amado. Presidential Decrees on Education. Caloocan, 
Printer's Unlimited. (1976)
Dizon, Amado. Laws and Education. Manila, Rex Bookstore.
(1992).
Garcia, Alta, Ed. The Shape of Legal Aspects of Education in
The Philippines Today. Manila, UST. (1982).
Nolledo, Jose. The Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines explained. Manila, National Bookstore. (1995)
Nolledo, Jose. The Education act of the Philippines annotated.
Manila, National Bookstore. (1995)
Nolledo, Jose. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines. Manila, National Bookstore. (1999)
Taro, Fe. The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines Explained. 
Manila, Rex Bookstore. (1989)
CASES
Bloomfield Academy v. CA 43 Vol. 237 (1994).
Lina v. Carino 515 Vol. 221 (1993).
Philippine Consumers Foundation, INC. v. The Secretary of 
Education, Culture and Sports. G.R. No.78385 (1987).
LAWS
1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
Rep. Act No. 7722
Batasang Pambansa Blg. 232
Rep. Act No. 8292
Presidential Decree No. 451
WEB PAGE
http://www.rihed.seameo.org/H_E_System/SEA/PhilippinesHE/philippineshe.html
http://www.chanrobles.com/otherlaws.htm