Modernizing the Charters of CHEd and TESDA
In a significant push for education reform, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre emphasized the importance of modernizing the charters of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This initiative is a central part of his 10-point higher education reform legislative agenda aimed at enhancing the country’s education system.
Acidre, who chairs the House committee on higher and technical education, highlighted that updating the charter laws of these two key agencies will help ensure that higher education remains responsive to the evolving needs of learners and the nation. The exact four word keyphrase, “modernizing the charters of,” is crucial to this reform vision.
Why Modernizing the Charters Matters
The current charters, Republic Acts 7722 and 7796, which established CHEd and TESDA respectively, were enacted in 1994. Since then, the education landscape has drastically changed. Officials reported that modernizing these charters is essential to keep technical-vocational education relevant and agile in today’s fast-paced world.
Acidre explained that the TESDA charter modernization specifically aims to align technical and vocational training with current industry demands. This ensures graduates are better equipped to contribute to economic growth and adapt to technological advancements.
Comprehensive Legislative Agenda for Higher Education
Aside from modernizing the charters of CHEd and TESDA, Acidre’s legislative agenda includes eight other critical priorities. These focus on promoting equity for disadvantaged students, accelerating digital transformation, and introducing micro-credentials to diversify learning pathways.
Community members noted that other reform areas cover quality assurance, strengthening industry linkages, enhancing faculty development and research capacity, fostering public-private complementarity, and improving student welfare. Together, these points form a holistic approach to reforming higher education.
Commitment to Inclusive and Sustainable Growth
“These priorities are anchored on a single conviction: that higher education must be responsive to the changing times, inclusive of all learners, and aligned with the nation’s aspirations for sustainable growth and social progress,” Acidre said during a recent summit.
Local leaders observed that the summit, held at a Manila hotel with the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, served as a platform to discuss these reforms and gather support from education stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
With the push for modernizing the charters of CHEd and TESDA, the Philippines is poised to strengthen its higher and technical education sectors. Officials reported that these reforms aim to make education more adaptive, inclusive, and aligned with the demands of the 21st century.
As the legislative agenda moves forward, community members expressed optimism that these changes will open more opportunities for learners across the country, ultimately contributing to national development and social progress.
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