Law signed on new way to earn college degree

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. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

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.

“We understand how important a college diploma is for our fellow Filipinos,” said Sen. Joel Villanueva, a co-chairperson of Edcom 2, who authored the new law in the Senate.

Edcom 2 is a bicameral congressional commission tasked to periodically review and propose reforms in the country’s education system.

“We want to ensure that [Filipinos] can take advantage of their work experiences, achievements and skills to earn a bachelor’s degree without going through traditional schooling methods,” Villanueva said in a statement.

Villanueva, who authored the new law in the Senate, said that RA 12124 would allow “more Filipinos” to receive “alternative pathways” 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 “long-standing educational disparities,” by providing working individuals with opportunities.

“This 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,” 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.

“This innovative approach bridges the gap between professional experience and academic achievement, enabling candidates to complete their degrees more efficiently than through traditional educational routes,” the 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 “rigorous evaluations” to assess the applicants’ 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’s skills, knowledge and experience.

Under the law, the ETEEAP will evaluate a person’s past learning and work experience—whether from school, training or real-life jobs—to 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.