A new law has been passed that requires private higher education institutions to waive college entrance examination fees and charges for qualified students in the Philippines. Republic Act 12006, also known as the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, outlines the conditions for eligibility for the waiver.
To qualify for the free exams, graduating students must be natural-born Filipino citizens and belong to the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Additionally, their household income must fall below the poverty threshold set by the National Economic and Development Authority. Students must also apply for college entrance exams at private higher schools within the country and meet all the school’s requirements.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has been tasked with enforcing the law and imposing sanctions on private schools that violate it. Within 60 days of the law taking effect, CHED, in coordination with the Department of Education, will promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) with input from the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines.
Speaker Martin Romualdez praised the new law, stating that it will provide equal educational opportunities for all Filipinos, regardless of their financial situation. He believes that the law has the potential to uplift communities and drive national development by removing barriers for deserving students to pursue higher education.
