Private college entrance exams now free for poor

MANILA, Philippines — A bill mandating private higher education institutions to waive college entrance examination fees and charges of poor but qualified students has lapsed into law. 

Under Republic Act 12006 or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, a graduating high school student will be eligible for the waiver of college entrance exams and charges on five conditions. 

RA 12006 lapsed into law on June 14. 

To qualify for the free exams, a graduate or graduating student must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and belong to the top 10 percent of the graduating class. He or she must also belong to a family whose combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority.

Moreover, students are required to apply for college entrance exams to any private higher schools within the country. They must also satisfy all the requirements of the private school.  

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is authorized to determine and impose appropriate sanctions against private schools for violating the law.  

CHED is also mandated to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law within 60 days from its effectivity in coordination with the Department of Education. 

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines or its equivalent institution will also be consulted in drafting the IRR. 

Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday hailed the new law, saying this is a big boost to the country’s education.

“This law is a crucial step in our efforts to provide equal educational opportunities for all Filipinos, regardless of their financial situation,” he said in a statement.

The Speaker said the law has the potential to uplift communities and drive national development as it removed a significant hurdle to deserving students from pursuing their dreams of higher education. — Sheila Crisostomo