NONTRADITIONAL APPROACH Under the newly signed law, working professionals who are not college graduates but have at least five years of aggregate work experience now have a chance of being granted an appropriate academic degree. 鈥擨nquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) on Wednesday lauded the signing into law of Republic Act (RA) No. 12124, which would allow Filipinos to earn college degree credits from their gained professional expertise.
Called the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), the program allows the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to grant equivalency credits to qualified Filipinos, regardless of where they currently live or work.
鈥淲e understand how important a college diploma is for our fellow Filipinos,鈥� said Sen. Joel Villanueva, a co-chairperson of Edcom 2, who authored the new law in the Senate.
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Edcom 2 is a bicameral congressional commission tasked to periodically review and propose reforms in the country鈥檚 education system.
鈥淲e want to ensure that [Filipinos] can take advantage of their work experiences, achievements, and skills to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree without going through traditional schooling methods,鈥� Villanueva said in a statement.
Villanueva, who authored the new law in the Senate, said that RA 12124 would allow 鈥渕ore Filipinos鈥� to receive 鈥渁lternative pathways鈥� in their education.
Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, also one of the co-chairpersons of the 10-man Edcom 2, said the law would also address the 鈥渓ong-standing educational disparities鈥� by providing working individuals with opportunities.
鈥淭his law recognizes the value of diverse learning pathways and empowers Filipinos to achieve their fullest potential in order to be able to uplift their lives as well as their families,鈥� Go said.
To qualify for the program, the individual must have at least five years of experience and must pass a comprehensive competency assessment to earn equivalency credits.
鈥淭his innovative approach bridges the gap between professional experience and academic achievement, enabling candidates to complete their degrees more efficiently than through traditional educational routes,鈥� Edcom said.
Higher education institutions participating in the program will be accredited by the CHEd, which will determine the capability of these institutions.
Rigorous evaluations
According to the commission, the CHEd will have to conduct 鈥渞igorous evaluations鈥� to assess the applicants鈥� professional knowledge and skills, ensuring they meet the academic standards required for degree equivalency.
President Marcos signed RA 12124 on Monday, but the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) only reported the enactment of the law on Wednesday.
The PCO said the CHEd would play a crucial role in running the ETEEAP by authorizing colleges and universities to offer degrees under the program and setting the standards for evaluating a person鈥檚 skills, knowledge, and experience.
Under the law, the ETEEAP will evaluate a person鈥檚 past learning and work experience鈥攚hether from school, training, or real-life jobs鈥攖o determine if these can be credited toward a college degree or special graduate program.
Qualified applicants must be Filipino citizens, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, and may apply for equivalency and accreditation if they satisfy the requirements. They must be at least 23 years old and should have completed a secondary school program.