Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8563)
Republic Act No. 8563 converts the Apayao Institute of Science and Technology and its Conner Extension High School into a chartered State College to be known as the Apayao State College and provides funding for its operation.
The Apayao State College shall primarily provide higher professional and technical programs, promote research and extension services, advanced studies, and leadership in agriculture, industry, environment, forestry, industrial technologies, education, arts and sciences, and other relevant fields.
The annex high schools in Luna, Calanasan, Sta. Marcela, Kabugao, and Pudtol are transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, except the Conner extension which becomes part of the State College; the State College may operate a laboratory school if it has a college of education.
The Board includes the Chairman of the CHED as chairman, the president of the State College as vice chairman, chairpersons of Senate and House Education Committees, the Director-General of NEDA, presidents of the faculty association, supreme student council, alumni association, and at least two prominent citizens from Apayao Province.
The Board has powers including enacting rules and regulations, budget allocations, duty-free importation of educational materials, accepting donations, fixing tuition fees, approving curricula, appointing officials, authorizing construction, awarding degrees, and establishing branches within Apayao.
The president is appointed by the Board upon recommendation of a search committee, serves a term of four years, and is eligible for reappointment for one additional term unless removed for cause, incapacitated, or reaches mandatory retirement age.
No religious opinion or affiliation shall be inquired into in faculty appointments, and no faculty member shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
Yes, Section 16 of Republic Act No. 8563 explicitly provides that the State College shall enjoy academic freedom.
The Treasurer of the Philippines serves as the ex officio treasurer of the State College.
All assets, personnel, records, facilities, liabilities, and obligations of the Apayao Institute of Science and Technology, except for certain extension high schools which were transferred to the Department of Education, are transferred to the Apayao State College.