The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the Review of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS). The study aims to examine the implementation of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and the Free Higher Education (FHE) programs, which were institutionalized under Republic Act 10931. Furthermore, the results of the study will be utilized in formulating policy recommendations to help improve the design and implementation of the programs and better achieve the intended goals of the Act.

Target respondents of the study are student beneficiaries of the TES and FHE, and Higher Education Instituitions (HEIs), and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) which are part of the implementation of the educational programs from 2018 to 2023. A total of 24,115 students, 277 HEIs, and 10 TVIs around the country will be contacted by the PIDS for the online survey.

The major data items to be collected from the respondents are as follows:

1. From Students
   a. Demographic profile such as age, sex, year of birth, marital status, current educational level
   b. Household information such as annual income, employment, and highest educational attainment
   c. School information
   d. Experience with the TES and FHE
   e. Contact details

2. From HEIs/TVIs
   a. Demographic information of the representative such as name and position
   b. School information
   c. Insights on the institution’s implementation of the TES and FHE
   d. Recommendations on how to improve the educational programs
    

Data collection for the survey will commence from November to December 2023, and the results are scheduled to be released in January 2024.

The survey was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA No. 10625 to:

      a. ensure sound design for data collection;
      b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
      c. effect economy in statistical data collection;
     d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
     e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins all TES and FHE student beneficiaries, HEIs, and TVIs to support and participate in the survey by providing the truthful information.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph.




CLAIRE DENNIS S. MAPA, PhD
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General