CHR lauds House bill strengthening higher education institutions

MANILA, Philippines — A House bill (HB) aimed at strengthening higher education institutions (HEIs) will provide more Filipino students with quality education, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Friday.

According to the CHR, HB 9982 will empower academic freedom in HEIs nationwide, which will give them the capacity to “operate independently and honorably.”

READ: House bill on moratorium on students’ payment of loans passes 2nd reading

“This measure also acknowledges the significance of intellectual autonomy in educational institutions and the principles of academic freedom. Revitalizing academic freedom allows HEIs to operate independently and honorably, which is required for the pursuit of free and critical thinking,” the CHR said.

The CHR added that the measure will lessen academic discrimination and push for equality across all HEIs regardless of their status.

“Furthermore, HB 9982 contributes to ensuring equal access to education and reduces the risk of discrimination based on the quality, location, or rank of educational institutions. Overall, we shall strive to attain quality and excellent education regardless if it is a private or a state-funded HEIs,” it added.

READ: Learning in the heat

Other provisions of the bill include that the external governance of public and private HEIs, except for the University of the Philippines System and the Mindanao State University System, will be “under the oversight function of the Commission of Education,” as well as the incentivization of HEIs with high-quality standards.

HB 9882 was approved by the House of Representatives on second reading last March 13.