On diploma mill schools

The recent issue of diploma mill schools in teacher education has raised alarm in the Second Congressional Commission on Education. This has led to the creation of a national database listing the higher education institutions with government-permitted or government-recognized teacher education programs.

Such a phenomenon is not new in the education sector. Even in basic education and technical-vocational education, diploma mills exist.

In basic education, many learners and their parents, particularly those at the elementary level, have difficulties transferring to other schools because their schools are not recognized by the Department of Education. This has caused DepEd, under then Secretary Armin Luistro, to institute the learner reference number commonly known as LRN as a remedy. Meanwhile, learners were advised to take the placement test administered by the DepEd Bureau of Education Assessment to validate their prior learning experiences from their unaccredited schools.

It is for this reason that the regional offices of DepEd, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Commission on Higher Education, took action in disseminating the list of government-recognized institutions within their respective localities. After all, it is within the powers and duties of the said government agencies to grant or revoke recognition and permits.

According to the 1987 Constitution, it is the duty of the State not only to recognize the complementary role of public and private education but also to set reasonable regulations in the education sector and protect education stakeholders.