Proposed Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program clears for second reading

Transcript

00:00 The House budget hearings at the committee level are over.

00:03 Next in line, the plenary deliberations and debates

00:07 where the action and arguments will be livelier, louder, and even theatrical.

00:13 The more controversial issues of budget cuts and confidential funds

00:16 are sure to generate some sparks as our Mela Lismoras reports.

00:21 Joshua Vasquez has been in the marketing industry for eight years now

00:27 as a sales and leadership coach.

00:29 Although he was not able to finish college,

00:32 he believes he already got enough skills and knowledge to deserve his current pose.

00:37 Actually, there's a lot of arguments about this.

00:41 And we have to ask the question, what is the purpose of a diploma?

00:45 Because in society, in the world that we live in,

00:48 people are no longer just looking for papers.

00:51 A lot of people are looking for actual skills, actual experiences.

00:54 We call them high-ticket skills.

00:57 And that's what's more important.

01:00 I think that we should focus on that.

01:04 To recognize the ability and experiences of people like Joshua,

01:08 a proposal to grant bachelor's degree to undergraduate working professionals

01:12 who have five years experience and up is now being pushed at the House of Representatives.

01:16 This is under House Bill No. 9015

01:20 or the proposed Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program Act.

01:26 Under the proposal, one can attain a college degree through non-traditional means

01:30 if he or she has enough knowledge, experience, achievements,

01:34 and skills which can equate to needed and corresponding school credits.

01:38 But they must submit the following requirements and pass the assessment exam.

01:43 The good news is, yesterday, the proposed measure cleared second reading.

01:47 We all know that the acquisition of knowledge and skills

01:52 does not only take place within the confines of the classroom.

01:56 But beyond that, it is high time, Mr. Speaker, that we also give access

02:01 to educational opportunities to persons with proven competence

02:06 so they can develop their full potentials

02:08 and prepare them for higher value jobs required for attaining global competitiveness.

02:14 Prior to this, several legislators have also filed other measures

02:19 for the welfare of students and teachers,

02:22 which in the end will truly benefit the country once enacted.

02:25 Melanies Moras for the nation.

02:27 nation.