Moratorium on the Opening of All New Graduate Programs and Exceptions Thereto

June 25, 2007

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 39-07

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", and Commission En Banc Resolution No. 263-2007 dated April 16, 2007, and pursuant to Section 54 of BP 232 in relation to Section 18 of RA 7722, a MORATORIUM on the Opening of New Graduate Programs, except in the Health Related Professions including Nursing, Engineering, and Science and Mathematics, is hereby declared by the Commission on the basis of the following:

a. The state exercises its police power by enacting RA 7722 in order to bestow upon the CHED a high responsibility to ensure quality and accessible education to all.

b. Section 2 of RA 7722 reiterates the State's policy in Section 1, Article IV of the Constitution, towards the protection of the people's right to education.

c. In the exercise of CHED's regulatory power, there is an imperative need to declare a MORATORIUM on the opening of new Graduate Programs except in the Health Related Professions including Nursing, Engineering, and Science and Mathematics.

To ensure the uniform and proper implementation of this Order, the following guidelines shall be strictly observed:

1. This moratorium shall cover all public and private Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) except COEs and CODs in their respective disciplines.

2. All applications for permit to offer Graduate Programs received by the CHEDCO and CHEDROs prior to the effectivity of this CMO are considered in the pipeline and shall be acted upon.

3. The applicants shall be given a reasonable period within which to submit compliance report to the deficiencies noted. Failure to do so shall serve as substantial basis for the denial of the application.

4. Likewise, applications under appeal/reconsideration before the effectivity of this CMO in the CHEDCO shall be acted upon by the Office of and Standards (OPS), which will conduct the appropriate processing and evaluation pursuant to the Commission's existing rules and regulations. DEaCSA

This CMO shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation and shall remain in force and effect until otherwise revoked or superseded.

For strict compliance.

Pasig City, Philippines, June 25, 2007.

For the Commission:

 

(SGD.) CARLITO S. PUNO, DPAChairman

Published in The Manila Times on July 6, 2007.