In Western Visayas, CHED-6 warns public of "fly-by-night" schools

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 6 warned the public yesterday against the existence of fly-by-night schools operating in Western Visayas.

CHED-6 director Virginia Resurreccion said her office has identified four institutions allegedly operating without permit, two of which are in Iloilo.

The two that are in Western Visayas are the South Coast International School, with last known address in Oton town of Iloilo, and the St. Robert's Training and Management Center or St. Robert's International Academy.

Resurreccion declared that both schools have no permits to operate, but CHED-6 received reports that SCIS is still operating and has even calendared its school activities. They are offering graduate studies and only hold a two-day per month class, she said.

For now, CHED-6 has yet to ascertain the location of SRIA. "It seems to be in guerrilla operation. If its location is known to authorities, they would transfer to another place," Resurreccion said, adding that SRIA's last known address was at Casa Plaza building in Iloilo City.

Two other schools, Philippine Christian University based in Manila and the International Academy of Management and Economics based in Makati City, were also reported to have no authority to offer extension classes in Iloilo City. PCU however has been offering Master of Arts in Nursing while IAME is offering Doctor of Philosophy.

According to Catherine Castañeda, CHED National Capital Region director, PCU's authority to offer extension classes was part of its privilege as autonomous HEIs (higher education institutions).

"However, since PCU's autonomous status was not renewed per CMO No. 59 series of 2007, based on their communication received by CHED on March 24, 2010, they will no longer accept students under their extension program in Iloilo City effective school year 2010-2011," Castañeda said in a letter to Resurreccion.

Castañeda added that IAME does not have authority from CHED to offer extension classes also.

Resurreccion added that CHED-6 is now also monitoring another school in La Paz district, Iloilo City. She advised the public that, to avoid problems in the future, students should see to it that they enroll only in a reputable school. – THE FREEMAN