Philippine Education

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I. Philippine Education General Situation

  1. Education Lead Agencies:
    The Two Lead Agencies in charge of Philippine Education:
    Department of Education, Culture and Sports-in charge of Primary and Secondary Education.
    Commission on Higher Education-in charge of Tertiary and other higher education.
  2. Formal Education: The difference is that Philippine Secondary Education needs only 4 years to graduate.
    a. Elementary Education: Pre-School (1 to 3 years) 3 years old to 5 years old (optional), six years Primary Education 6 years old to 11 years old (mandatory).
    b.Secondary Education: 4 years Secondary Education 12 years old to 15 years old.
  3. Technical and Skills Education after Secondary Education:
    1 to 2 years course, diplomas will be issued to graduates, the program is in charge by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
  4. Philippine Education Chart.

II. Present Higher Education

Due to Philippine government limited fund, they encourage the establishment ofprivate schools. In the school year 1998-1999 there are around a total of 1495 registered Colleges, Universities and other Higher Education Agencies. Public Schools is around 219 and the rest are all Private Schools. Total student population in the whole country is around 950,000. Due to the economic problem here in the Philippines, some students are forced to drop out from school in the middle of the school year and they work to earn tuition fee for the next semester or school year.

III.School Calendar: Philippine School Calendar is different from most of other

Countries

  1. In every semester there are around 18 weeks, for every week there are 6 days.
  2. First semester starts at the first week of June until the second week of October.The Second semester starts at the second week of November until the last week of March.Summer classes starts at the third week of April until the third week of May.

IV. Years of Studies: The years of studies of some courses are as follows:

 

Arts and Sciences: 4 Years

Teacher Education: 4 Years

Engineering Education: 5 Years

Health Related Courses: 5 Years

Medicine: 8 Years

Business & Accounting: 4 Years

Agriculture: 4 Years

Law: 8 Years

Theology: 4 Years

Criminology: 4 Years

Information Technology: 4 Years

Maritime Education: 4 Years

Master Degree: 2 Years

Doctoral Degree: 3 Years

The Students should pass all subjects required by the schools for the said course

V. Language use during lectures

In 1974, the Philippine has passed a law for the use of two languages in education (English and Tagalog). During lectures English is the most common use language, but there are other social studies subject that uses Tagalog during lectures. Tagalog is the most commonly used language during student conversations.

VI. Rules and Regulations for Foreign Students who wish to study here in the Philippines

*Steps on how to apply for a Student Visa

1. Foreign Students who are over 18 years old should apply directly to the School where he/she wants to study, and when he/she is admitted he/she needs to prepare the following documents.

  1. Personal History Statement
  2. Transcript of Records (Authenticated by the Philippine Embassy Abroad)
  3. Financial Capability Documents
  4. Information Page of the Passport
  5. Certification issued by the Commission on Higher Education (for Medicine and Dentistry Students only)

2. If the applicant has passed the requirements of the School, he/she will be issued a Notice of Acceptance, which will be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

3. The Department of Foreign Affairs will then inform the Philippine Embassy of the Applicant country of origin to prepare the issuance of Student Visa.

4. The Philippine Embassy will then ask the Applicant for an interview, if he/she passes the interview, he/she will then be issued a Student Visa.

5. When the applicant arrived in the Philippines, the School will assist he/she to apply for the ACR and LRTS.

6. When the Department of Foreign Affairs received the report from the Philippine Embassy Abroad that they are already issued a Student Visa to a certain Applicant, they will immediately inform the Schools.

7. The chart on the issuance of Student Visa Abroad.

Foreign Student 18 years old and above

 

Schools

 

Department of Foreign Affairs, Visa Section

 

Philippine Embassy Abroad

 

 

 

 

 

*Foreign StudentsCenter

In Schools there are Foreign Students Guidance Office, who can help solve the students dormitory or school works problem.

VII. Important Things to Know When Studying in the Philippines

  1. The distance between Taiwan and the Philippines is very near, the language use during lectures is English and the standard of leaving is low. There are also some colleges which has an agreement of cooperation with foreign schools abroad, so there are also chances for student to be sent to study abroad like the United States. Because of the present poor economy, some schools has simple school dormitory, unlike of the school dormitory in developed countries. Some schools are also located in remote areas, which is not convenient in transportation, so before applying, you should better know the place of the school, or may ask the opinion of some senior students of the school.
  2. Due to some school financial problems, they will require new students to donate a certain amount to the school. So before applying for school, better ask regarding the said matter.
  3. The present Taiwanese students population here in the Philippines is around 600, that includes the children of Taiwanese businessmen here in the Philippines. The courses they usually took up dentistry, medicine, special education and masters degree.

Reference: Philippine Higher Education A Brief Guide

Directory of Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines