CHR urges private HEIs to provide better scholarship programs
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, urged private higher education institutions (HEIs) to provide better scholarship programs for the marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sector.
In a statement, the CHR said the scholarship programs should also include students from the rural areas, persons with disaabiities, and other underrepresented groups.
It reminded that Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution states: “State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”
It said the constitutional provision aligns with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states that “everyone has the right to education.”
The CHR issued the statement after Republic Act (RA) No. 12006, the Free College Entrance Examination Act, lapsed into law last June.
It noted that RA 12006 "will not only reduce the burden on Filipinos’ finances but will also open doors and opportunities for young people who do not have enough resources to access education, particularly in private higher education institutions (HEIs).”
While it fully commended and acknowledged the waiver of college entrance examination fees under the new law, the CHR declared: “We also advocate for the establishment of more robust scholarship programs in private HEIs so students will have greater opportunities to pursue and complete their college education without the burden of financial limitations.”