Directing The Commission on Higher Education to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Review Centers and Similar Entities

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 566

Establishment of a System of Regulation for Review Centers and Similar Entities (Section 1)
- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is directed to formulate a framework for the regulation of review centers and similar entities.
- This includes developing policies, standards, guidelines for establishment, operation, and accreditation of review centers.
- It also includes maintaining mechanisms to monitor adequacy, transparency, and propriety of operations, as well as reporting mechanisms to review performance and ethical practice.

Coordination and Support (Section 2)
- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), various Boards of Examiners under the PRC, and other concerned non-government organizations like professional societies shall provide necessary assistance and technical support to CHED.
- Other government agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), and others may also be tapped for support.

Permanent Office and Staff (Section 3)
- CHED shall organize a permanent office under its supervision to implement the System of Regulation.
- The office will be headed by an official with the rank of Director and composed of competent individuals with expertise in educational assessment, evaluation, testing, policies and standards development, monitoring, legal and enforcement, statistics, curriculum, and instructional materials development.
- CHED shall submit the staffing pattern and budgetary requirements to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approval.

Indorsement Requirement (Section 4)
- No review center or similar entity shall be established and/or operate review classes without the favorable expressed indorsement of CHED and without the issuance of necessary permits or authorizations.
- After due consultation with stakeholders, the concerned review centers and similar entities shall be given a reasonable period, not exceeding three (3) years, to comply with the policies and standards.
- CHED shall ensure that the System of Regulation and other necessary procedures and documentation are completed within sixty (60) days upon effectivity of this Executive Order.

Funding (Section 5)
- The initial amount necessary for the development and implementation of the System of Regulation shall be sourced from the CHED Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), subject to government accounting and auditing practices, or from any applicable funding source identified by the DBM.
- For the succeeding fiscal year, necessary amounts shall be provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act in the budget of CHED.
- CHED may tap its Development Funds as a supplemental source of funding for the effective implementation of the regulatory system.
- CHED is authorized to create special accounts in the HEDF exclusively for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Executive Order.

Review and Reporting (Section 6)
- CHED shall provide for the periodic review of the performance of review centers and similar entities.
- CHED shall make a report to the Office of the President of the results of such review, evaluation, and monitoring.

Separability (Section 7)
- Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other provisions, as long as such remaining provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

Repeal (Section 8)
- All rules and regulations, other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 9)
- This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.