The Commission on Higher Education in Eastern Visayas (CHED-8) has pledged to act on increasing concerns on “diploma mills” allegedly offering non-accredited online course offerings and unauthorized programs in the region.
In a statement, CHED-8 Regional Director Maximo Aljibe said they are intensifying monitoring regionwide, following reports of online courses being offered wantonly and warning institutions engaged in fraudulent academic practices that they will face severe sanctions, including closure and legal action.
These entities, often operating online or without proper authorization, are allegedly issuing diplomas with little to no coursework required.
“We will not tolerate institutions that undermine the integrity of Philippine higher education. Diploma mills deceive students and employers, and they damage the credibility of legitimate schools,” Aljibe said.
CHED officials said it has institutionalized mechanisms to ensure that all course offerings among HEIs meet national accreditation and quality standards.
Among them is requiring all degree programs to undergo proper evaluation and approval before being offered to the public.
CHED is also enforcing stricter compliance monitoring, regular program audits, and enhanced coordination with accrediting bodies.
HEIs are now required to submit updated documentation on their course offerings, including curriculum design, faculty qualifications, and learning resources.
Meanwhile, the Commission urged the public to verify the official recognition of any institution before enrolling in a graduate program.
Verified listings and updates are available at CHED-8 regional offices and through their official website.
As education is seen as a way out of poverty in Eastern Visayas, the proliferation of so-called “diploma mills” have raised questions about the quality of education being offered in schools in the region.
Based on the Department of Education’s Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) cited by EDCOM II, around 49.95 percent of learners in Tacloban City and 50.87 percent in Catbalogan City are considered struggling readers or students unable to read at the level expected for their grade.
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