Challenges and Issues in Philippine Higher Education

Challenges and Issues in Philippine Higher EducationReporter: Deo M. BelmonteCourse: Master of Arts in Industrial Education (MAIE)Subject: Vocational Teacher EducationSchedule: Saturday & Sunday; 7:00-1200Faculty: Prof. Jesus B. Isorena

Main Issues and ChallengesIssue:

Only a small proportion of the total 1,683 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can be considered as offering very high quality programs as shown by the number of programs identified as Center of Excellence (COEs) and Centers of Development (CODs) by the CHED, the number of private HEIs granted by the CHED autonomous and deregulated status, and number of HEIs obtaining national or international recognition for their programs. It can be observed that many HEIs operate programs within the parameters of the minimum standards only and in some cases even below the minimum standards.

Quality of Education has also been a decline in our countrys global competitiveness. Based on Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Top-500 World University only 3 Philippine Universities are included in the year 2010 while in 2006, there was 4 Philippine UniversitiesMain Issues and ChallengesChallenge:

There is a need for the Commission to develop a very good policy environment in the system of giving incentives to encourage many HEIs to pursue many vigorous efforts towards instituting quality assurance mechanisms in their institutions. Likewise, an effective system of sanctions also needs to be developed to stop the HEIs in offering substandard programs.

Main Issues and ChallengesIssue:

The performance of graduates in the licensure examinations being conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is one indicator of the quality of graduates of the HEIs. For the past several years though, data shows that in a majority of the programs, the performance of graduates in licensure examinations has been declining. In effect, this also indicates that the quality of program offerings of many institutions is deteriorating.

Low Performance in licensure exams across all disciplines from 38.6 % in 2008 to 36.2 % in 2009. As stated by Van Vankelburg, Students entering college courses are poorly prepared in Mathematics. Educators Journals Report Students nowadays are getting poorer in Mathematics as shown in the low grades and passing rates of students even in premier schoolsMain Issues and ChallengesIt cannot be denied that the diminishing importance we give to education is all too obvious in the results of national and international assessment tests of our students, specifically on the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS).

For years, the teacher education program has been a continuing concern of Philippine Higher Education. Data from the Professional Regulation Commission for the past ten (10) tears show that the percentage of those who fail the licensure examinations is larger than that of those who pass.

Main Issues and ChallengesChallenge:

The Commission is faced with the task of doubling its efforts in updating policies and standards for each program. For teacher education, a new curriculum has been devised. Likewise, the intensive training of student teachers has been instituted.

Main Issues and ChallengesIssue:

Quality assurance mechanism should be viewed in a holistic rather than piecemeal basis to bring out the best in the Philippine higher education.

Out of the 2,180 HEIs in the country, only about less than 500 HEIs have accreditation in AY 2008-2010.

Main Issues and ChallengesChallenge:

Among the existing accrediting agencies in the country, there is a need to review and determine comparability of their standards, criteria, and evaluation instruments. It is necessary to establish uniform systems and processes and set comparable standards in granting accreditation status to the program of the HEIs. Moreover, public and private accrediting agencies should not view each other competitively but rather treat each other as complementary partners.

Main Issues and ChallengesIssues:

One of the triple functions of a college or university is research. However, many HEIs have poor research capability and in some cases there is no research culture. The HEIs need to harness their capability in research along with the improvement in the delivery of educational services.

Main Issues and ChallengesChallenge:

While the Commission has provided incentives for higher education research, still the research-based culture in the Philippine HEIs with a few exceptions remains elusive. As one Philippine university professor has succinctly articulated it: The management of a research culture is a mix of simple to complex factors and processes which must be attended to and nurtured by inspiration, expectations, role definitions, monitoring, and incentives. Main Issues and ChallengesWhile there are many factors that relate to the development and nurturance of a research culture, the following seem to stand out:University research agenda that flow to the facultySupport of the management that is communicated to the facultyCompetence and confidence of the facultyExisting organizational structure for researchVisible incentives for the facultyResearch-related rituals, practices and tradition including team research and mentorshipCredibility of the research manager (Orchave, 2006)

Main Issues and ChallengesIssue:

The HEIs are turning out too many graduates every year, and aside from the issue of low absorptive capacity of the labor market, the quality of graduates is also an issue. It can be observed that there is a mismatch between the knowledge and skills acquired by the graduates and what the industry needs.

According to the labor sector, the skills needed by the industry but not adequately provided by the academe are the following:

Communication skills,Technical skills, andNumerical skillsMain Issues and ChallengesAccording to studies undertaken by CHED, the following programs have been considered oversubscribed as evidenced by the huge enrolment recorded:Business AdministrationNursingTeacher EducationInformation Technology andHotel and Restaurant Management

While the undersubscribed programs are:Science and Technology, andAgriculture and Fisheries

Main Issues and ChallengesChallenge:

The Philippine government and not only the Commission have been trying to address this issue through human resource summits between the Commission and Department of Labor in determining the programs with the highest potential of job market.

Other IssuesLack of overall Vision, Framework, Plan for Higher EducationThis is evident on the increase of HEIs and increase of programs in the country.

AY 2009-2010 Location No. of HEIs No. of Programs Offered National Scope 2,18031,257Region IV-A (alone)2752,302Other IssuesInadequacy of facilities and equipment

Among the 1,792 HEIs (excluding SUC campuses), only 100 or 5.6 % HEIs can be assumed to have adequate facilities.

Increasing number of SUC satellite campuses and increasing programs beyond their original mandate.

There are now 110 SUCs in the country while the SUC campuses are now totaling 388.

Other IssuesInadequacy of Faculty Credentials

Teachers bear the responsibility of educating our youth. Recent data gathered by the Association of Higher Education Institutions show that majority of the faculty credentials are inadequate. In year 2008-2009:

Location Doctorate Degree Masters Degree Baccalaureate Degree National Scope10 % (12,532) 36 % (46,346) 54 % (70,446) Region IVA (alone)25% (2,053) 54% (4,886) 21% (1,884) Other IssuesLimited Access to Quality Higher Education

As evidenced by the low participation rate and low completion rate caused by increasing costs and limited student assistance programs. Out of 100 pupils who enrolled in Grade 1, only 14 will graduate in higher education.

CHEDs ResponseRationalization of Higher Education

Aligning higher education with national development goals; Developing typology of HEIs; Mapping of HEIs and programs; Amalgamation of HEIs; Moratorium on new HEIs and programs; Harmonization of public and private HEIs (leveling the playing field); and Rationalization of credentials CHEDs ResponseQuality and Standards

Institutional Quality Assurance Monitoring and Evaluation (IQuAME) as developmental instrument for non-accredited HEIs;Rigorous and transparent systems for autonomous and deregulated COEs and CODs; Improved and effective Technical Panels; More developmental and less prescriptive PSGs; Closing of substandard programs and institutions; Providing development support and/or incentives to deserving HEIs; and Aligning Philippine HEI curricula and standards with international benchmarks.CHEDs ResponseAccess to Quality Higher Education

Improve and expand Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GATSPE); Expand the Student Financial Assistance Program (STUFAP) - scholarships, grants-in-aid, Study-Now-Pay-Later Plan; Alternative Learning Systems (ALS); Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP); andLadderized Education program (LEP).

CHEDs ResponseTransparency and Accountability

Transparency of systems and processes;Elimination of corrupt and questionable practices in CHED; Elimination of corrupt and questionable practices in SUCs; andRecognition of CHED as a clean and honest agency.

CHEDs ResponseOrganizational Development at CHED

As a modern, technology-enabled organization; As an efficient, service-oriented, empowering, happy organization;CHEDs physical plant is clean, well-maintained, attractive and user-friendly and client-friendly; and Relevant and interested in national and global issues.

Conclusions:In pursuance of its mandate, the Commission has undertaken major initiatives in quality assurance. These initiatives, however, have an overarching goal: To develop the Philippines as a regional knowledge center in the Asia Pacific especially in disciplines where Philippine HEIs have a distinctive competitive edge.

If we work together, we can create an educational environment capable of generating and nurturing development that will produce globally competent individuals who are well equipped with general knowledge and intellectual capacities needed by the industry.

Sources:Colinares, Nilo E. and Lydia P. E. dela Rosa (2011) 21st Century Trends, Issues and Challenges in Philippine Education. Challenges and Issues in RP Higher Education by Commissioner Nenalyn P. Defensor: National Book Store, Philippines

Valdez, Shirley (August 21, 2011) Higher Education Institutions: Addressing Current Issues and Challenges Retrieved from: http://www.slideshare.net/shirlyvaldez/addressing-current-issues-and-challenges-in-he-9079138Thank You very much!!