HB10282: AMENDED HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
This bill, titled the "Amended Higher Education Act," seeks to strengthen the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) by amending Republic Act No. 7722, the "Higher Education Act of 1994." Its core impact is to ensure quality education at all levels and make it accessible to all citizens, particularly focusing on the continuing improvement of tertiary education services and the development of responsive, innovative, and globally competitive human resources. This is significant for Filipino students and the nation as a whole, as it aims to raise the standards of higher education, protect academic freedom, and align educational programs with national and regional development goals and international human resource requirements.
The bill outlines enhanced powers and functions for CHED, including formulating a roadmap for higher education, broadening access for disadvantaged students, directing the development of non-traditional learning modes, setting minimum quality assurance standards, and exercising quasi-judicial powers to ensure compliance. It also details the composition and terms of the CHED commissioners and the establishment of a Higher Education Development Fund to strengthen HEIs across the country. These provisions aim to create a more robust and responsive higher education system, leading to better-equipped graduates and a more competitive workforce, ultimately contributing to the country's socio-economic progress.