The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has taken a significant step towards enhancing the admission system and retention of students in select state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines. With the launch of the “Paglaum kag Pagdaug” (Hope and Victory) initiative, CHED aims to identify challenges and implement interventions to address the increasing attrition rate among students.
During a press launch held at the CHED Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III emphasized the need to address the high attrition rate among students. He stated, “For those that come to the university, the attrition rate is still very high, meaning, we might be succeeding in bringing more people to university but many of them fall on the wayside and do not complete their education.”
According to CHED, approximately four out of ten students in higher education either temporarily or permanently left school during the last academic year, 2022-2023. The reasons for this increasing attrition include financial difficulties, family problems, relocation, medical or mental health concerns, and academic difficulties, among others.
Recognizing the need for empirical data to guide effective actions, CHED has allocated a budget of at least PHP5 million for each of the three initial regions where the research will be conducted. These regions include the Ilocos region with five public universities, Eastern Visayas with ten SUCs, and Soccsksargen with five public universities. The selection of these regions was based on factors such as high poverty incidence, insurgency, the presence of numerous small SUCs, and innovative performance in higher education.
Chairperson de Vera highlighted the importance of addressing any admission system disparities that may disproportionately disadvantage certain sectors. He stated, “The study will now direct universities about the options that they can take to improve their admission system. So more people from public schools, from rural areas, children of indigenous communities, children of rebel returnees will be able to get in.”
While the initial findings will guide the selected SUCs in implementing interventions, de Vera emphasized that other SUCs across the country can also benefit from the research through information-sharing and workshops.
The focus of CHED’s efforts extends beyond access to higher education. It also aims to ensure the success and completion of students. As of June 2023, the Philippines ranked second, following Singapore, with a tertiary education participation rate of 51.38 percent among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics.
By conducting this research initiative, CHED is taking a proactive approach to address the challenges faced by students in SUCs. Through evidence-driven interventions, the commission aims to improve the admission system and create a supportive environment that enables students from all backgrounds to successfully complete their higher education.
In conclusion, the launch of the “Paglaum kag Pagdaug” initiative by CHED signifies a significant step towards enhancing the admission system and retention of students in state universities and colleges. By identifying challenges and implementing evidence-driven interventions, CHED aims to reduce the attrition rate among students and ensure their success in higher education. This research initiative is a testament to CHED’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all students and improving the overall quality of higher education in the Philippines.
Source: https://ched.gov.ph/
