ETEEAP IN THE PERSPECTIVE ON PHILIPPINE EDUCATION

NEMIGIO D. DIZON

There have been urgent calls and proposals for a re-thinking, reengineering, re-designing, re-inventing, and re-structuring of education to adapt to emerging needs as well as a re-definition and reconceptualization of Philippine education in the light of all the challenges and opportunities in the field of educational system. In facing the challenges of the economic downturn in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997, the rapid international rise of knowledge-driven economies and the drastic impacts of information technology and globalization, numerous educational reforms and school re-structuring movements have been initiated and implemented to pursue effective education in the region and other parts of the world.

Historically, education in the Philippines had dramatically changed in goals, focus and methodology whenever a new conqueror forcibly took control of the country. Disparities in values, orientations and philosophies of the different colonial rulers made an impact on the Filipinos, more importantly, on the educational system, and eventually, on the quality of life in the country. Undoubtedly, the dynamics of education in the country has created a wide spectrum of platforms of trends, problems and issues.

And to help individuals from relevant highly valued body of work and life experiences as well as high-level, non-formal and informal training, and to grant individuals, qualified through the aforementioned systems, equivalency credits and/or appropriate academic degree with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances due those formal higher education degrees. Revised policies, standards and guidelines for the implementation of the expanded tertiary education equivalency and accreditation program (eteeap) for undergraduate degree programs.

The Expanded Tertiary Equivalency and Accreditation Programs (ETEEAP) – a comprehensive program of identifying, assessing and assigning equivalent college level learning for non-formal and informal training, and demonstrated/substantiated competencies, skills, attitudes and values acquired from related work experience towards the final granting of equivalent credits and/or awarding of appropriate academic degree by deputized higher education institutions. Competency enhancement programs are employed to ensure progression of the individual student in the Program.

The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), is being implemented pursuant to Executive Order 330 of 1996. Through this program, an individual may be granted a diploma for a degree after a competency-based evaluation from established equivalency competencies standards and a comprehensive assessment system employing written tests, interviews, skills demonstration, portfolio, and other creative assessment methodologies administered by designated assessors or faculty experts.

Boy Abunda is now a product of ETEEAP and currently Sunshine Cruz and other celebrities enrolled on ETEEAP. There are now universities and colleges around the country who offered the program.

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The author is Teacher III at Justino Sevilla High School