Republic Act 7722: Higher Education Act

Republic Act No. 7722: The Higher Education Act of 1994

• This act created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
• It was approved on May 18, 1994.
• The State aims to safeguard citizens' rights to accessible, quality education at all levels.
• It seeks to ensure academic freedom, promote intellectual growth, advance learning and research, cultivate responsible leadership, educate professionals, and enrich cultural heritage.
• State-supported higher education institutions should align programs with development plans and promote intellectual life.
• Affordable education involves feasibility and accessibility.
• Academic freedom is the institutional autonomy of higher learning institutions.
• CHED is an independent commission, separate from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS).
• CHED is attached to the Office of the President and covers both public and private post-secondary institutions.

Commission Composition and Leadership Roles

• The Commission has five full-time members.
• During the initial transition, the President may appoint the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as ex officio chairman for up to one year.
• The President appoints a Chairman and four commissioners.
• Commissioners must have doctorates, 10+ years in higher education, and not have run for office recently.
• They must be known academicians with high integrity and belong to different fields.
• Commissioners cannot appoint representatives.
• The chairperson and commissioners are appointed for four-year terms, with a chance for one reappointment.
• Initial terms are staggered, with the chairman serving four years and the other commissioners serving for three and two years.
• Commissioners hold office until successors are appointed.
• Vacancies are filled by presidential appointment for the unexpired term.

CHED Structure and Responsibilities

• Chairman and commissioners have the rank of Department Secretary and Undersecretary, respectively.
• A Board of Advisers meets with the Commission annually.
• This helps align policies with national needs and global standards.
• The Board includes the Secretaries of Education, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, and Labor.
• It also has the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority, Presidents of FAAP and FAPE, and two additional members appointed by the President.
• CHED formulates and recommends plans, policies, and programs for higher education and research.
• It sets minimum standards for institutions with expert input and public hearings.
• CHED monitors institutional performance, gives incentives, and can impose sanctions like subsidy reduction or program termination.
• CHED identifies and supports centers of excellence.
• Also recommends budgets for public higher education institutions and provides income guidelines.
• CHED streamlines higher education programs, setting standards for new institutions and conversions, considering budget and regional needs.
• CHED develops criteria for allocating resources like research grants and scholarships, without affecting institutional autonomy.
• It directs research to meet development needs and administers the Higher Education Development Fund.
• CHED reviews institutional charters and formulates rules for the effective operation and enhancement of higher education.
• The Commission reconstitutes technical panels for various disciplines to aid in setting standards and evaluation.
• "Technical Panels" are bodies that advise the CHEd on setting standards.
• Technical committees are also formed to assist in policy conceptualization Academic Freedom and Standards
• Academic freedom for universities and colleges is guaranteed, with certain exceptions.
• CHED can abridge curricular freedom only for minimum unit requirements, general education distribution, and professional subjects stipulated by licensing entities.
• Restrictions do not apply to institutions not required for chartered state colleges and universities.
• Essential academic freedoms include the right to determine who may teach, what may be taught, how it shall be taught, and who may be admitted to study.
• Schools can admit or expel students based on discipline and honor expectations.
• CHED provides incentives for accredited programs.

CHED Memorandum Order No. 13 Series of 2017: BSMT/MLS Program

• This outlines policies, standards, and guidelines for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science (BSMT/MLS) program.
• All private higher education institutions offering BSMT/MLS must secure permission from the Commission.
• The program is a four-year course involving general education and professional studies.
• The fourth year is a year-long internship in a CHED-accredited laboratory with rotations in clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology and serology, urinalysis, parasitology, and histopathology.
• BSMT/BSMLS graduates can become licensed medical technologists/medical laboratory scientists, diagnostic molecular scientists, research scientists, educators, diagnostic product specialists, and public health practitioners.
• Curriculum must total 173 units, including general education core courses (24 units), electives (9 units), mandated courses (3 units), physical education (8 units), NSTP (6 units), core courses (25 units), professional courses (65 units), research courses (5 units), and a clinical internship (28 units).
• Program must be headed by a full-time dean/head who is a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, a registered medical technologist with a graduate degree, five years of teaching experience, and two years of managerial experience.
• Heads of the BSMT/BSMLS program must be an active member of PRC - Accredited Professional Organization for Medical Technologists and Association of Schools of Medical Technology
• Faculty members must be registered Medical Technologists with current PRC licenses (unless special).
• They need a related master's degree and one year of clinical experience and must be active members of relevant organizations.
• The maximum faculty/student ratio is 1:49 for lectures and 1:20 for laboratory sessions.
• The laboratory room must have an entrance and exit and adequate space and lockers.

Guidelines for the Medical Technology Internship Program

• This program occurs in the fourth year of the BSMT/Medical Laboratory Science course.
• It involves intensive practical and theoretical training in areas like clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, serology, microbiology, urinalysis, parasitology, and histopathology.
• Interns need to have completed the first three years of coursework.
• Applicants must undergo physical and lab exams (CBC, urinarlysis, fecalysis, drug tests, HbsAg, anti-HBs, and chest X-ray) and show proof of hepatitis B vaccination
• Those with infectious diseases will be temporarily suspended until they give proof of treatment.
• Clinical Chemistry: 300 hours
• Analysis of Urine & Body Fluids (Clinical Microscopy) & Parasitology: 200 hours
• Microbiology: 250 hours
• Hematology: 300 hours
• Blood Banking: 200 hours
• Histopathologic Technique and Cytology: 100 hours
• Immunology & Serology: 220 hours
• Laboratory Management : 40 hours
• Phlebotomy: 54 hours
• Total Hours: 1664 hours
• Interns render 32 duty hours per week for 52 weeks
• Interns must not be assigned to 24-hour duties, are allowed a one day off per week for Medical Technology Assessment programs
• The instructor to the student intern ratio is one clinical instructor for every 25 student interns.
• Interns must be punctual. They should report 15 minutes to their duty stations. “Out of post” (OP) duty consequences will be assigned. - Tardiness is defined as a failure to report for duty at the schedule. An intern duty sanctions will be issued in case of a violation.
• Absences incurred during internships must be accounted for.
• Absences are counted against the intern’s total work hours for the program.
• Excused absences include death, illness, and/or calamity.
• Interns need to give at least 3 days notice if they file for a leave of absence.
• Interns must be properly groomed.
• Interns must wear the official school uniform at all times.
• Interns must have the proper hair style.
• Male interns must have short hair and hair dyeing is prohibited.
• Closed shoes of specific colors are required for both sexes.
• Sandals, and slippers are not allowed.
• The Internship program lists breakages, merits, and demerits:
• Merits and demerits are awarded to interns to record achievements, excellent performance, or negligence.
• Demerits are given in terms of minor and major offenses.
• Disciplinary actions will be taken for any breach in code of conduct.
• Intern performance is evaluated theoretically and clinically:
• Performance is assessed on examinations, as well as competency skills, attitude, and behavior.
• Attendance and punctuality are also considered.