The Higher Education Act of 1994, officially Republic Act No. 7722 of the Philippines, is a law that created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as an independent body attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes. Its main purpose is to oversee and regulate both public and private institutions of higher education and degree-granting programs in all post-secondary educational institutions in the country
. Key features of RA 7722 include:
- Declaration of Policy: The State commits to protecting and promoting the right to affordable, quality education at all levels, ensuring accessibility for all citizens, safeguarding academic freedom, and promoting intellectual growth, learning, research, and cultural heritage
- Creation of CHED: The Commission on Higher Education is tasked with formulating plans and policies for higher education, setting standards, monitoring and evaluating institutions and programs, and administering funds to promote higher education development
- Academic Freedom: The Act guarantees academic freedom for universities and colleges, limiting CHED’s authority to impose only minimum unit requirements, general education distribution requirements, and specific professional subjects as stipulated by licensing bodies. Private institutions not required to be chartered state colleges or universities are not subject to curricular restrictions by CHED
- Accreditation and Incentives: CHED provides incentives to institutions whose programs are accredited or are seeking accreditation to ensure quality education
- Alignment with Development Plans: State-supported higher education institutions are required to align their programs with national, regional, or local development plans, and institutions are encouraged to exemplify dignity and pride in their intellectual and scholarly life through their physical and natural environments
Overall, RA 7722 aims to strengthen the Philippine higher education system by establishing a dedicated commission to ensure quality, accessibility, and academic freedom in higher education
