The Importance of COPC in Elevating Higher Education Programs
The educational system in the Philippines faces persistent challenges. Its basic education system has long been criticized for producing students with low competencies in science, math, English, and creativity, as evidenced by dismal performance in international examinations. This struggle continues into higher education, with the country’s top universities such as the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, and the University of Santo Tomas slipping in global rankings. Among more than 2,000 higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines, only a handful receive international recognition.
More than a decade ago, the Philippine HEI Roadmap envisioned the amalgamation of universities as a strategy to enhance quality outcomes. The plan aimed to reduce the number of SUCs, refocus resources where they are most needed, and limit the duplication of courses. By concentrating resources on fewer programs, the approach sought to optimize funding, improve quality, and produce better outcomes. Unfortunately, this initiative did not prosper despite its potential benefits. Today, with each university offering almost similar courses, government funds and resources are spread thinly, significantly affecting quality outcomes. This persistent issue is now compounded by the challenges surrounding the implementation of the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).
The Rationale Behind COPC
The Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) is designed to address weaknesses in HEI programs by examining key areas such as faculty qualifications, curriculum standards, and the availability of laboratory and learning facilities. Unlike previous accreditation systems, COPC requirements are non-negotiable and aim to ensure that graduates are equipped not just for local licensure examinations but also for competitive global opportunities.
International Comparability
The world measures the quality of HEIs based on outcomes such as graduates’ professional performance, the institution’s research contributions, and its societal impact. This contrasts with the Philippines’ traditional focus on licensure exam pass rates. By aligning programs with stringent standards, COPC serves as a bridge to elevate HEIs’ standing and comparability at the global level.
Challenges in COPC Implementation
While COPC is an essential tool for quality assurance, its implementation has encountered significant challenges:
Resource-Intensive Requirements: Programs like engineering demand state-of-the-art laboratories and highly qualified faculty with master’s or doctorate degrees. Many SUCs (State Universities and Colleges), particularly in resource-limited regions, struggle to meet these demands due to budget constraints.
Faculty Recruitment Issues: Hiring professionals with advanced degrees in specialized fields is difficult, particularly for engineering programs, where industry opportunities are often more lucrative than academia.
Compliance Disparity: Traditional programs like education have generally complied with COPC requirements, but resource-intensive courses like engineering face greater difficulty. This creates an uneven playing field among HEIs.
Impact on Students: Graduates of non-COPC-compliant programs are barred from taking licensure exams. This decision penalizes students for institutional shortcomings, creating controversy over fairness and legality.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has interpreted the lack of COPC as a failure to meet the requirement of being a “recognized school.” This interpretation conflicts with existing laws that define recognition at the institutional level, not at the program level. Many SUCs offering these programs have decades of history and remain operational under CHED supervision, raising questions about the retroactive application of the policy.
Proposed Recommendations to Address Non-Compliance
To address the challenges of non-COPC-compliant programs in a fair and ethical manner, the following steps are recommended:
Declare Programs Without COPC as Non-Compliant: Clearly announce that non-compliant programs are unrecognized by CHED. This will ensure transparency and inform prospective students about the status of the program.
Suspend Enrollment in Non-Compliant Programs: Programs without COPC should be allowed to either cease operations or work toward compliance. However, they must stop accepting new students until full compliance is achieved.
Exempt Graduates from Retroactive Penalties: Graduates of programs prior to the declaration of non-recognition must still be allowed to take licensure exams. Retroactive application of the no-exam policy is unjust and legally questionable.
Support for Compliance: CHED and the government should provide funding, faculty development programs, and infrastructure support to help HEIs achieve COPC compliance, particularly for resource-intensive courses like engineering.
The introduction of COPC represents a critical step toward elevating the quality of higher education in the Philippines. However, its implementation must balance the pursuit of excellence with fairness and practicality. Penalizing students for institutional shortcomings undermines the very purpose of education reform.
CHED and PRC must adopt a more constructive approach by assisting institutions in achieving compliance rather than disproportionately penalizing students. By strengthening COPC implementation and addressing resource gaps, the Philippines can create a higher education system that is not only competitive on a national level but also globally recognized.
Ultimately, reforms like COPC should not just aim for compliance but should inspire transformation. By prioritizing student outcomes, faculty development, and global benchmarks, the Philippines can rebuild its higher education sector to become a source of national pride and international comparability.