Question & AnswerQ&A (JOINT CHED-MARINA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 01, S. 2018)
The purpose of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, s. 2018 is to establish guidelines on the joint monitoring by CHED and MARINA of maritime education programs in accordance with relevant laws and international conventions including RA 7722, RA 10635, and the STCW Convention 78, as amended.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are the two government agencies involved in the joint monitoring of maritime education programs.
CHED's authority is based on Section 8 (d) and (e) of RA 7722 to set standards and monitor programs. MARINA's authority comes from RA 10635, which mandates it as the Single Maritime Administration to enforce the STCW Convention and to monitor maritime education programs in compliance with international standards.
The main programs are Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT), covering education and training for officers-in-charge of engineering and navigational watches respectively, under the STCW Convention provisions.
Competence includes cognitive competence (knowledge and theory), functional competence (skills/know-how), personal competence (conduct in specific situations), and ethical competence (personal and professional values).
Prohibited acts include conducting unapproved education programs, continuing phased-out programs, operating branches without authorization, advertising without permits, issuing fraudulent certificates, and other violations against established standards and regulations.
The Monitoring Team consists of a Lead Evaluator from MARINA's STCW Office, MARINA Evaluator(s), Technical Evaluator(s) from CHED and MARINA with program expertise, and representatives from CHED such as OPSD staff or Regional Directors.
A Lead Evaluator must have completed a Lead Auditor Course, participated in at least three monitoring activities post-training, be knowledgeable of the programs and statutory requirements, preferably have teaching experience in a maritime institution, signed disclosure agreements, and completed IMO training courses including Model Courses 6.09, 3.12, and 6.10, and Quality Management System training.
The institution must perform root cause analysis, submit a Monitoring Finding and Corrective Action Report (MFCAR) within 15 working days, implement corrective actions within one month, and allow follow-up verification. Failure to comply may result in sanctions including program phase-out.
All maritime higher education institutions must be monitored at least once within a three-year period as part of the mandated monitoring cycle.
Key areas include Quality Standards System, Curriculum, Teaching Methods, Examination and Assessment System, Faculty, Admission and Retention, Facilities and Training Equipment, Shipboard Training, and Research and Extension.
The appeal must be filed in writing with supporting facts and evidence to CHED. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Review Committee (MERC) reviews it, followed by recommendations from the Technical Panel for Maritime Education (TPME). The CHED Commission en banc then issues a final and executory decision.
The OBMI is a quality form used as a checklist and recording tool during monitoring to evaluate compliance and quality of maritime education programs systematically and consistently.
Monitoring activities can be postponed due to force majeure, safety or security threats, inaccessibility of the area, holidays, or other analogous circumstances beyond the control of the Monitoring Team or the institution.
The Lead Evaluator prepares the monitoring plan, ensures efficient conduct of monitoring, presides over meetings, coordinates reporting, ensures findings are agreed upon, submits reports, maintains ethical audit standards, and manages feedback and verifications.