CHED has collaborated with Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Samar State University, and University of Southern Mindanao to conduct a comprehensive study focusing on the equity dimension of admissions and retention in select SUCs across different regions in the Philippines.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Philippines initiated a comprehensive review of admission and retention policies in state universities and colleges (SUCs) during a press conference held on Monday, February 12, 2024. This decision was prompted by an observed increase in participation and attrition rates within SUCs.
CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera III said there is a need for this review, noting that while the participation rate in higher education has surpassed 40 percent, concerns regarding equity have emerged due to intensifying competition in the admission process of public universities.
De Vera pointed out the disparity between the soaring number of applicants and the limited intake capacity of prominent SUCs such as the University of the Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, which respectively receive approximately 100,000 applicants annually but only accept 14,500 and 12,000 students.
“The participation rate in higher education has increased to over 40 percent, so clearly our public universities have been successful in increasing access,” he said during a press briefing.
Concerns over the past years revolve around equity as more and more students take the admission tests in public universities, and the admission system then “becomes more and more competitive,” De Vera added.
De Vera cautioned that without a reassessment of the admission system, there is a risk of marginalizing students from less privileged backgrounds, including those from public schools, rural areas, and indigenous communities, who may struggle to secure admission to universities. Additionally, he underscored the persistent challenge of high attrition rates among enrolled students, signifying a gap between enrollment and successful completion of academic programs.
“The other concern is that for those who come to university, the attrition rate is still very high, meaning we might be succeeding in bringing more young people into university, but many of them fall by the wayside and do not complete their education,” he stated.
According to data from CHED, the attrition rate reached its peak at 40.98 percent during the 2022-23 school year, marking the highest level since 2019.
To address these concerns, CHED has collaborated with Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Samar State University, and University of Southern Mindanao to conduct a comprehensive study focusing on the equity dimension of admissions and retentions in select SUCs across the Ilocos Region, Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen.
De Vera outlined the objectives of the study, which include examining the socioeconomic backgrounds of applicants and admitted students to identify any disproportionate disadvantages faced by specific demographic groups. Additionally, the study aims to assess the effectiveness of existing support systems within universities and identify areas for improvement to ensure the retention and academic success of enrolled students.
“And if we find out that the admission system disproportionately disadvantages certain sectors, the study will now direct universities about the options they can take to improve their admission system,” he said.
Encouraging active participation from SUCs, De Vera urged institutions to contribute their insights and proposed strategies for intervention. He pointed to the collaborative nature of the reform process, emphasizing the collective responsibility of stakeholders in fostering an inclusive and supportive higher education environment.
As the review unfolds, CHEd remains committed to promoting accessibility, equity, and quality in higher education, underscoring the importance of evidence-based policy reforms to address emerging challenges and enhance student outcomes in SUCs nationwide.
