.

ISSN 2063-5346
For urgent queries please contact : +918130348310

Free Higher Education in the Philippines Towards the Advancement of Scientific Knowledge: The Case of Don Honorio Ventura State University

Main Article Content

Dr. Julius Miano Velasco
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.si6.712

Abstract

Quality education at all levels is one of the foundations of sustainable development. This is necessary in order to advance any Scientific Knowledge in any field of study. Last August 3, 2017, the Republic Act 10931 also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education was enacted. It is anchored on the government’s priority thrust of poverty alleviation and is aimed at providing all Filipinos with equal opportunity to quality tertiary education. Prior to its enactment, President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration had already implemented an initial run of providing ‘universal’ access to tertiary education referred to as the ‘2017 Free Tuition Policy in State Universities and Colleges.’ The purpose of this paper is to assess how this policy had been carried out administratively. A Qualitative Research was conducted which assessed the administrative efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of its implementation. Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU), a state university in Pampanga mandated to provide advanced instruction and professional training in education, engineering, science and technology, arts and humanities, computer and other relevant fields of study, was used as a case study. The findings show that the provisions of the policy are administratively feasible despite the challenges encountered. A conclusion of the different lessons of DHVSU's implementation of the policy is presented, thereby, different administrative policies can be considered to ensure the successful implementation of universal access to quality tertiary education in the Philippines.

Article Details