Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7722)
Republic Act No. 7722 is officially titled the "Higher Education Act of 1994."
The State shall protect, foster and promote the right of all citizens to affordable quality education at all levels, ensure accessibility, protect academic freedom, and promote intellectual growth, learning, leadership development, and cultural enrichment.
RA 7722 creates the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which is tasked with formulating policies, monitoring and regulating institutions of higher learning in both public and private sectors, and promoting the development of higher education in the Philippines.
The Commission on Higher Education is attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes only.
The Commission is composed of five full-time members, including a Chairman and four Commissioners, all holders of earned doctorates with at least ten years of active engagement in higher education, known for professionalism and integrity, and must not have been candidates in immediately preceding elections.
The Chairman and Commissioners are appointed by the President for four-year terms, with eligible reappointment for one additional term. Initial appointments have staggered terms of two, three, and four years.
The Chairman holds the rank and salary of a Department Secretary, and the Commissioners hold the rank and salary of an Undersecretary, including corresponding disqualifications.
The Commission formulates development plans and policies for higher education and research, sets minimum standards for institutions and programs, monitors performance, recommends budget allocations, rationalizes programs, administers the Higher Education Development Fund, and ensures academic freedom among others.
The Fund is established exclusively for strengthening higher education, sourced from a government seed capital of 500 million pesos, 50 million pesos for initial operations, shares from travel tax collections, professional registration fees, lotto sales, and contributions from financing institutions and private donations.
The Act guarantees academic freedom by prohibiting the Commission from abridging curricular freedom except for minimum unit requirements, general education distribution, and specific professional subjects required by licensing entities, and exempts private institutions from curricular restrictions applicable to state colleges and universities.