The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was created on May 18, 1994 through the

passage of Republic Act No. 7722, or the Higher Education Act of 1994. CHED, an
attached agency to the Office of the President for administrative purposes, is headed by
a chairperson and four commissioners, each having a term of office of four years. The
Commission En Banc acts as a collegial body in formulating plans, policies and strategies
relating to higher education and the operation of CHED.

The creation of CHED was part of a broad agenda of reforms on the country’s education
system outlined by the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) in 1992. Part of
the reforms was the trifocalization of the education sector into three governing bodies:
the CHED for tertiary and graduate education, the Department of Education (DepEd) for
basic education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
for technical-vocational and middle-level education.
In 1997, Republic Act (RA) No. 8292, otherwise known as
the “Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997” was
passed to establish a complete, adequate and integrated
system of higher education. The said law also modified
and made uniform the composition of the Governing
Boards of chartered state universities and colleges (SUCs)
nationwide in order to:(a) achieve a more coordinated
and integrated system of higher education;(b) render
them more effective in the formulation and
implementation of policies on higher education;(c)
provide for more relevant direction in their governance;
and (d) ensure the enjoyment of academic freedom as
guaranteed by the Constitution.
VISION AND MISSION
 
The Commission on Higher Education catalyzes a Philippine
higher education system that is locally responsive and globally
competitive and serves as a force for lifelong learning,
innovation, and social and cultural transformation.
MANDATE

Given the national government’s commitment to transformational leadership that

puts education as the central strategy for investing in the Filipino people,
reducing poverty, and building national competitiveness and pursuant to Republic
Act 7722, CHED shall:
A. Promote relevant and quality higher education (i.e. higher education
institutions and programs are at par with international standards and graduates
and professionals are highly competent and recognized in the international
arena);
B. Ensure that quality higher education is accessible to all who seek it
particularly those who may not be able to afford it;
C. Guarantee and protect academic freedom for continuing intellectual growth,
advancement of learning and research, development of responsible and effective
leadership, education of high level professionals, and enrichment of historical
and cultural heritages; and
D. Commit to moral ascendancy that eradicates corrupt practices,
institutionalizes transparency and accountability and encourages participatory
governance in the Commission and the sub-sector.
As provided for under Section 8 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7722, the
Commission on Higher Education shall have the following powers and
functions:

● Formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, and

programs on higher education;
● Formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, and
programs on research;
● Recommend to the executive and legislative branches priorities and
grants on higher education and research;
● Set minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning
recommended by panels of experts in the field and subject to public hearing,
and enforced the same;
● Monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and institutions of
higher learning for appropriate incentives as well as the imposition of
sanctions such as, but not limited to, diminution or withdrawal of subsidy,
recommendation on the downgrading or withdrawal of accreditation, program
termination or school course;
● Identify, support and develop potential centers of excellence in program areas
needed for the development of world-class scholarship, nation building and national
development;
● Recommend to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the budgets of
public institutions of higher learning as well as general guidelines for the use of their
income;
● Rationalize programs and institutions of higher learning and set standards, policies
and guidelines for the creation of new ones as well as the conversion or elevation of
schools to institutions of higher learning, subject to budgetary limitations and the number
of institutions of higher learning in the province or region where creation, conversion or
elevation is sought to be made;
● Develop criteria for allocating additional resources such as research and program
development grants, scholarships, and the other similar programs: Provided, that these
shall not detract from the fiscal autonomy already enjoyed by colleges and universities;
● Direct or redirect purposive research by institutions of higher learning to meet the
needs of agro-industrialization and development;
● Devise and implement resource development
schemes;
● Administer the Higher Education Development Fund,
as described in Section 10 of R.A. 7722, which will
promote the purposes of higher education;
● Review the charters of institutions of higher learning
and state universities and colleges including the
chairmanship and membership of their governing bodies
and recommend appropriate measures as basis for
necessary action;
● Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise
such other powers and functions as may be necessary to
carry out effectively the purpose and objectives of R.A.
7722; and
● Perform such other functions as may be necessary
for its effective operations and for the continued
enhancement, growth and development of higher
education.