Full Implementation of Free Tuition Law in June 2018
The free tuition law will be fully implemented in the Philippines by June 2018, as assured by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) last August 10.
CHED Commissioner Prospero De Vera III. /IMAGE Presidential Communications Operations Office website
The first meeting for the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the new law was already held last August 9, involving staff from CHED, TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), DBM (Department of Budget and Management), and DOST (Department of Science and Technology).
They hope to finalize and have the IRR signed by CHED in time for the Academic Year 2018-2019.
The government is also currently pooling funds to reach at least a Php 20-billion budget needed for the implementation of the law. CHED Commissioner Prospero De Vera III said that they plan to utilize money in the current scholarship and financial assistance programs of different government agencies like DOST and the Department of Agriculture. They will also look for other funding sources from the 2018 National Expenditure Program.
Many, especially students, hope for the successful implementation of the free tuition law.
Students from 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), 16 local government-created universities evaluated by CHED, and all state-run technical-vocational institutions in the country will benefit from the free tuition law in the next academic year.
Students from households with the lowest income will also receive additional benefits like government subsidy and student loan.
To address the possibility of massive student transfers from private schools, CHED is preparing tighter admission and retention policies for SUCs. As of now, a number of SUCs have already implemented a no-transfer policy for second, third, and fourth-year enrollees.
Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office
