The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Wednesday, Aug. 18, said that teaching and non-teaching personnel who wish to pursue their graduate studies for free can still apply for the Scholarships for Instructors’ and Staff Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP).
“Our government is committed to provide quality education accessible for all - at hindi natin kinakalimutan ang ating mga guro at kawani ng mga pamantasan (we’re not forgetting our teachers and staff in the universities),” CHED Chairperson Popoy De Vera said.
CHED said that applications are currently being accepted. The SIKAP grant is open to all existing and former personnel of higher education institutions (HEIs) recognized by the commission until Aug. 31, 2021.
Consistent with the Commission’s commitment for quality education, interested applicants must be “open to do full-time study and enroll in graduate programs” with Certificate of Program Compliance or CHED-issued program permit from CHED-recognized HEIs.
De Vera explained that CHED continues to uplift the quality of education for the students as it pushes professional advancement among teachers and other staff.
“The SIKAP program will help make our HEI personnel more competitive and hopefully be at par with our ASEAN counterparts and its number of faculty with advanced degrees,” De Vera explained.
CHED said that one of the main features of the “SIKAP” program is the opportunity for former HEI personnel to pursue advanced studies with the government’s support.
“Previously employed teaching or non-teaching personnel of CHED-recognized institutions within the 12 months at the time of application are most welcome to apply,” CHED explained.
De Vera said that through the SIKAP Grant program, even the teaching and non-teaching staff of CHED-recognized HEIs that were previously employed will have the chance to strengthen their credentials that would help them to seek better employment opportunities in the future.
Interested applicants may send their online application at bit.ly/chedsikap. CHED Regional Offices are also open to assist and provide further details of the program. They may be reached through ched.gov.ph/sikap/#sikap_chedro.
For the complete list of eligibility requirements and to know more about SIKAP Grants, interested applicants may refer to CMO 6, s. 2020 and its implementing guidelines found at ched.gov.ph/sikap.
“I encourage everyone to allow CHED and this government to assist our former teachers and HEI personnel in need - through this program and other initiatives within the capacity of CHED,” De Vera said.
CHED said that successful “SIKAP” grant applicants will receive a monthly living allowance of up to P30,000 for those undertaking their masters degree and P43,000 for those taking their doctorate degree, thesis or dissertation allowance, apart from the full coverage of the actual tuition and other fees, among others.