Reason & Concern

by Ronquillo C. Tolentino

CHED’s Agricultural
Farming Thrust

The creation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) came about on May18,1994 through the passage of Republic Act No. 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994.　

The CHED acts as the collegial body in for-mulating plans, policies and strategies relating to higher education and 　the operation of CHED. Its creation was intended　for a broad agenda of reform on the country’s educational system as outlined by the Congressional Commission on Education.

In 1992, part of the reform was the trifocalization of the education sector into three governing bodies : the CHED for tertiary and graduate education, the Department of Education for 　basic education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for technical, vocational and middle-level education.

For some years since its creation, CHED has not been emphatic about agriculture as a course. Even some agri-oriented state colleges and universities have not really make agriculture attractive to students, inclusive of its importance to national development and food security.

Close to four months back, the Commission on Higher Education and the anti poverty NGO Gawad Kalinga entered into a partnership to translate agriculture into a popular course.

The CHED and Gawad Kalinga considered launching a five-year program to establish "village universities" as an innovative propagation for" agri-entrepreneurs and empower communities for additional income generation".

Arguing For Victory?

The agreement between CHED and Gawad Kalinga also stressed that the project shall establish a model agri-ecological tourism farm that will showcase appropriate and viable agricultural technologies and also provide a livelihood for family beneficiaries.

Debates on the RH bill has become too heated and personal. It should be debates guided by reason, sobriety and charity.　As it appears, both sides are girding for 　their respective triumphs on the issue. I remember the Scottish novelist George Macdonald when he said: "When a　man argues for victory and not for truth, he is sure of just one ally, that is the devil. Not of the defeat of the intellect, but the acceptance of the heart 　is the only true object in fighting with the sword of the spirit." /MP