PINUPURSIGE ni Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ang Senate Bill 2024 (Strengthening the Commission on Higher Education).
Aniya, “Ang Commission on Higher Education o CHED ay itinatag noong 1994 upang tumutok sa pangangasiwa ng higher education and research sa bansa, na dating naging mabigat na dagdag na responsibilidad ng Department of Education (DepEd). Ang CHED ay binigyan ng kapangyarihan para sa pangkalahatang superbisyon at regulasyon ng private higher educational institutions and degree programs, at para sa pagtulong sa pagpapaunlad ng mga State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
Sa paglipas ng panahon, at sa harap ng mga kaganapan sa usapin ng edukasyon at kaunlaran pati na rin sa pagdami ng SUCs at maging ng Locally-funded Universities and Colleges (LUCs), naging matingkad ang pangangailangang palakasin ang CHED upang mas makatugon ito sa mga bagong hamon.”
Ito ang ilan sa itinatakda ng panukala:
The Commission shall:
A.) Formulate and implement development plans, policies, priorities and programs on higher education and research; and make corresponding recommendations to the executive and legislative branches.
B.) Approve the changes in the institutional status of private universities and colleges.
C.) Set minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning recommended by panel of experts in the field and subject to public hearing, and enforce the same.
D.) Monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and institutions of higher learning, both private and public, for appropriate incentives as well as the imposition of sanctions.
E.) Identify, support and develop potential centers of excellence in program areas needed for the development of world-class scholarship, nation building and national development.
F.) Direct or redirect purposive research by institutions of higher learning to meet the needs of agro-industrialization and development as well as other strategic areas of global importance.
G.) The Higher Education Development Trust Fund shall be used exclusively for the strengthening of higher education in the entire country. The Fund shall be utilized equitably according to regions, higher education institutions and programs.