Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10648)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10648 is the "Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014."
The main policy objective is to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality and accessible education at all levels and to establish a financial assistance system available to deserving students, especially the underprivileged, by institutionalizing a college scholarship program for top graduates of public high schools.
The Program covers all public high school students who rank in the top ten (10) of their graduating class, and additional top graduates if the public high school has more than five hundred (500) graduates, provided they enroll in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and meet their admission requirements.
For every five hundred (500) graduates in a public high school, an additional scholarship slot in SUCs is allotted to graduates who rank immediately after the top ten (10) students and meet admission requirements.
Requirements include: being a top ten (10) graduate of a public high school within the last two (2) years; complying with SUC application requirements; rank certification by the public high school principal; and passing the SUC entrance exam with at least the minimum rating set by the SUC.
Yes, for the first six (6) years starting school year 2015-2016, admission to the SUCs of choice within their region shall be automatic for the top ten (10) graduating students of public high schools.
Yes, SUCs may limit admissions if the number of applicants exceeds by more than five percent (5%) the average number of first-time freshmen accepted during the two (2) preceding academic years, subject to guidelines set by CHED and the SUCs.
CHED is to review capacity of SUCs, develop assistance systems for scholars, and ensure compliance; DepED is to disseminate information, conduct census, identify top graduates, and ensure compliance by public high schools; SUCs are to provide information, inform CHED of capacity, offer summer bridge programs, and assist scholars fully.
Scholarships cover the full amount of tuition and school fees only for the first year of college. Subsequent years are covered by the regular CHED student financial assistance and scholarship programs if the student qualifies.
Each SUC must annually report to CHED on students admitted, courses enrolled in, academic standing, and other relevant data. CHED must perform rigorous evaluation every five years on impact and performance, including enrollment, graduation, economic indicators, and community contributions.
Funding is included in the budget of CHED or the concerned SUCs as determined in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The Separability Clause ensures that any part declared unconstitutional or invalid does not affect the validity and full force of the other provisions.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation following its approval on November 27, 2014.