Revised Policies, Standards and Guidelines on the Implementation of the Ladderized Interface between TVET and HE

July 11, 2006

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 037-06

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution, Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994" and with Executive Order No. 358 entitled "To Institutionalize Ladderized Interface Between Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Higher Education (HE)" and in view of Commission En Banc (CEB) Resolution No. 442-2006, adopted during the 278th Meeting on 26 June 2006, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) hereby promulgates the following Revised Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSGs) on the implementation of the Ladderized Interface between TVET and HE for guidance and strict compliance of all concerned. DCcHIS

ARTICLE I

Declaration of Basic Policies

SECTION 1. It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. For this purpose, the State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society and adheres to the goals of national development. Towards this end, the government shall encourage the establishment of a unified national qualification framework that establishes academic equivalency pathways and access ramps for a ladderized interface system allowing for easier transition and progression between HE and TVET.

SECTION 2. In recognizing the foregoing declared policies on education towards the attainment of national development goals through the unified national qualification framework of academic equivalency and recognition of competencies stated above, the State hereby likewise recognizes and supports the promotion and protection of the inherent academic freedom enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning. For this purpose, government shall have due regard for the academic standards of the HEIs, equity principles, promptness and consistency if the HEIs' applications/admissions and its equivalency policies.

ARTICLE II

Objectives, Scope and Coverage

SECTION 3. The purpose of ladderized interface between TVET and HE programs is to open pathways and platforms of opportunities for career progression to students and workers. For this purpose, the CHED issues these guidelines for the development, registration and approval of standard and uniform ladderized curriculum interfacing TVET and HE programs.

SECTION 4. These guidelines shall provide the scope of CHED's responsibilities in the development of a ladderized curriculum and the processing of applications for ladderized priority degree programs initially identified by CHED and TESDA for the following disciplines: DTIACH

1. Agriculture

2. Maritime

3. Business

4. Information Technology

5. Education

6. Criminology

7. Engineering

8. Health

SECTION 5. TESDA and CHED shall jointly implement pilot programs for the foregoing, ladderized priority degree programs during SY 2006-2007. After which TESDA and CHED shall review and evaluate the fitness of purpose and relevance of the programs in the tertiary education sector pursuant to section 6 of EO 385.

SECTION 6. SUCs and other private HEIs that have established system of equivalency and recognition and such other qualification linkages between HE and TVET programs prior to the issuance of EO 358 shall not be limited by these guidelines in the continued implementation of the same. However, such SUCs and private HEIs are encouraged to participate in the ladderized interface programs between TVET and HE pursuant to these guidelines in order to achieve a uniform and standard system of articulating the amount or extent of credits which can be expected for previous qualifications, learnings or trainings and to accelerate the development of a uniform ladderized curricula for programs needed for national economic development.

ARTICLE III

Principles and Guidelines Governing Good Practice in the Implementation

SECTION 7. HEIs intending to apply and implement a ladderized curriculum under these guidelines shall be guided by the need to align their curriculum within the standards and guidelines set herein, to increase the rigor of their technical offerings and adopt policies that promote increased options for TVET students in obtaining baccalaureate degrees utilizing the opportunities provided by credit transfer or other forms of ladderized interface between TVET and HE programs.

SECTION 8. The CHED shall uphold the continuing integrity, quality and standards of the Framework and the programs implemented in pursuance thereto. It demands from authorized HEIs full responsibility for the quality of Ladderized program and such other qualification linkages programs that may be developed pursuant to EO 358.

SECTION 9. Nothing in these guidelines will be construed to restrict the HEI in the exercise of its academic freedom. The HEIs shall retain the right to assess the level and standard of previously completed TVET programs by an applicant-student in a manner that is transparent and objective, incorporating therein its own admission requirements. SHaIDE

SECTION 10. The process, range and forms to be used for the development of ladderized curriculum should be objective, fair, appropriate, clear and consistently applied, and all information about them are accessible and/or available to applicants, academic staff, assessors or examiners, and stakeholders.

ARTICLE IV

Implementing Guidelines

SECTION 11. Registered TVET programs from TESDA may be ladderized to a bachelor's degree program identified in Section 4 of these guidelines, provided HEI shall secure authorization from CHED.

SECTION 12. The CHED shall authorize the HEIs to implement the ladderized curriculum necessary for achieving global competitiveness, advancing strategic concerns of the State and promoting sustainable development in the priority programs initially identified by CHED and TESDA mentioned in Section 4.

CHED and TESDA may develop ladderized curricula for other programs not included in the list in Section 4 upon recommendation of the respective Technical Panels.

SECTION 13. The applicant-student must gain admission to the HEIs undergraduate program by meeting all the usual criteria and program requisites and such other requirements by the HEI.

SECTION 14. The HEI shall adopt additional requirements appropriate to the degree courses thereby ensuring that credit for a student's previous studies is compatible with the structure of the academic program to which the student has been admitted, and that advanced entry to the course is at level appropriate to the student's background.

SECTION 15. The CHED through its Regional Offices (CHEDROs) shall ensure the integrity, quality and successful implementation of the ladderized curriculum through the following:

1. Review and check the completeness of the application documents of HEIs participating under the guidelines of a ladderized program;

2. Evaluate the application of HEIs;

3. Grant authority to applicant HEIs to implement the ladderized program; AcHEaS

4. Coordinate the implementation of the ladderized programs by the HEIs in their respective region.

5. Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation on the implementation of the ladderized Program; and

6. Prepare and submit to the Permanent Technical Secretariat an official report on the results of the monitoring, review and evaluation and recommendation.

ARTICLE V

Permanent Technical Secretariat

SECTION 16. CHED in partnership with TESDA hereby establishes a Permanent Technical Secretariat for the effective implementation of the policies and programs of the Framework. It shall ensure the integrity, quality and successful implementation of Ladderized program, to wit:

1. Coordinate with the CHED Technical Working Group (TWG) on Ladderization with regard to the following:

1.1 Determination and recommendation of degree programs to be opened for Ladderized Program;

1.2 Development of criteria and procedures for the grant of authority to HEIs for ladderized program;

1.3 Monitoring and evaluation on the implementation of the Ladderized program;

1.4 Development on a continuing basis the standards and processes for Ladderized program;

1.5 Establishment and implementation of well-defined processes and procedures for program monitoring, review and evaluation including feedback mechanisms for ladderized program, and use the results generated from these activities for decisions by CHED on the continuance or discontinuance of the granted authority to higher education institutions to implement the program.

2. Conduct advocacy and social mobilization campaign to reach prospective beneficiaries, implementers and users of the program; SaIACT

3. Prepare list of identified HEIs to implement ladderized program;

4. Establish linkages and cooperative relationship with appropriate development and regulatory agencies and institutions to uphold the integrity and quality of the program;

5. Provide technical assistance to HEIs for the implementation of the program; and

6. Convene, as the need arises, a consultative or advisory body (as defined in the EO No. 358) for the purpose of broad-based inter-agency consultation on the implementation of the program.

ARTICLE VI

Acceptance and Recognition of Ladderized Program

SECTION 17. CHED and TESDA shall seek the assistance and support of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the operationalization of the ladderized interface between HE and TVET programs envisioned under these guidelines.

CHED shall endeavor to advocate the recognition by individuals, employers/industry, education/training, providers, professional regulatory bodies, and accredited professional organizations (APOs) of the outcomes of the ladderized programs, the interfacing between HE and TVET programs and such other framework of qualification linkages.

SECTION 18. CHED shall issue additional memoranda or guidelines for the effective implementation of the objectives and programs stated in EO 358 for HEIs and SUCs.

ARTICLE VII

Effectivity

This CMO shall take effect starting SY 2006-2007 and shall apply strictly to all HEIs applying for authority to implement the ladderization/interfacing between HE and TVET programs.

Pasig City, Philippines. July 11, 2006. EcTaSC

 

(SGD.) CARLITO S. PUNO, DPAChairman

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 103, No. 18, p. 2464, April 30, 2007.