CHED: Bestlink had no application for off-campus activity | ABS-CBN
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CHED: Bestlink had no application for off-campus activity
CHED: Bestlink had no application for off-campus activity
The façade of the Bestlink College of the Philippines. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
The façade of the Bestlink College of the Philippines. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Bestlink College of the Philippines has until today, February 3, to submit its reply to a show cause order issued by the Commission on Higher Education in relation to complaints by students over a January 26 incident in Hermosa, Bataan.
MANILA -- Bestlink College of the Philippines has until today, February 3, to submit its reply to a show cause order issued by the Commission on Higher Education in relation to complaints by students over a January 26 incident in Hermosa, Bataan.
Viral posts on social media showed tired and hungry students walking a long distance to reach their buses following the celebration of the institution's founding anniversary.
Viral posts on social media showed tired and hungry students walking a long distance to reach their buses following the celebration of the institution's founding anniversary.
CHED Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Jaro said upon initial investigation, they found out that Bestlink College of the Philippines filed no application to conduct off-campus activities.
CHED Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Jaro said upon initial investigation, they found out that Bestlink College of the Philippines filed no application to conduct off-campus activities.
"Bago kami mag issue ng show cause order, we also checked with our regional office kung nakapag-file ba sila ng application. Based sa aming records, before that happened, wala silang submission ng application," she said.
"Bago kami mag issue ng show cause order, we also checked with our regional office kung nakapag-file ba sila ng application. Based sa aming records, before that happened, wala silang submission ng application," she said.
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(Before we issued a show cause order, we checked with our regional office if they were able to file an application. Based on our records before that happened, there were no submissions for an application.)
(Before we issued a show cause order, we checked with our regional office if they were able to file an application. Based on our records before that happened, there were no submissions for an application.)
A CHED Memorandum Order in 2017 which highlights policies and guidelines on local off-campus activities require higher education institutions to have and meet a checklist of requirements before, during and after an off-campus activity.
A CHED Memorandum Order in 2017 which highlights policies and guidelines on local off-campus activities require higher education institutions to have and meet a checklist of requirements before, during and after an off-campus activity.
Jaro also emphasized the need for students to be informed of the activity through their student handbook.
Jaro also emphasized the need for students to be informed of the activity through their student handbook.
"Nasa student manual na dapat yan ng estudyante kung kelan nangyayari. Even before the year, sem starts, dapat alam na yan ng estudyante. Pangalawa dapat alam nila kung magkano ang babayaran mo. Kasama sa konsultasyon kung ano ang magiging consequence o epekto ng pagsama nila sa isang off campus activity," she said.
"Nasa student manual na dapat yan ng estudyante kung kelan nangyayari. Even before the year, sem starts, dapat alam na yan ng estudyante. Pangalawa dapat alam nila kung magkano ang babayaran mo. Kasama sa konsultasyon kung ano ang magiging consequence o epekto ng pagsama nila sa isang off campus activity," she said.
(It should be clear in the student manual when it will happen. Students should be informed even before the start of the semester. They should also know how much they need to pay as well as what the intended consequences of the activity are.)
(It should be clear in the student manual when it will happen. Students should be informed even before the start of the semester. They should also know how much they need to pay as well as what the intended consequences of the activity are.)
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CHED also clarified higher education institutions should not require students to join off-campus activities. Should a student opt not to go out of personal choice, Jaro says an alternative mechanism on how to acquire the same competency and skill from the off-campus activity should be available to them.
CHED also clarified higher education institutions should not require students to join off-campus activities. Should a student opt not to go out of personal choice, Jaro says an alternative mechanism on how to acquire the same competency and skill from the off-campus activity should be available to them.
This is contrary to claims by students that they were required by teachers to attend the activity or deal with an incomplete or failing mark.
This is contrary to claims by students that they were required by teachers to attend the activity or deal with an incomplete or failing mark.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, a student of Bestlink College of the Philippines said she feels mixed emotions following the incident.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, a student of Bestlink College of the Philippines said she feels mixed emotions following the incident.
"Nasaktan din ako kasi matagal na ako ditong nagaaral. Napamahal na rin ako sa school na ito. Hindi naman sa gusto kong magsara yung school namin. If ever maulit ulit, out of town, sana organisado na. Tapos make sure na mas meenjoy at worth it talaga ang binayaran namin at may matutunan kami. At sana safe kami," said the student.
"Nasaktan din ako kasi matagal na ako ditong nagaaral. Napamahal na rin ako sa school na ito. Hindi naman sa gusto kong magsara yung school namin. If ever maulit ulit, out of town, sana organisado na. Tapos make sure na mas meenjoy at worth it talaga ang binayaran namin at may matutunan kami. At sana safe kami," said the student.
(I feel hurt because I also study here. I also love the school and I don't want it to be shut down. If ever another activity like this happens, I hope it will be more organized to make sure that students really enjoy and can feel their money's worth.)
(I feel hurt because I also study here. I also love the school and I don't want it to be shut down. If ever another activity like this happens, I hope it will be more organized to make sure that students really enjoy and can feel their money's worth.)
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In its latest statement, Bestlink College of the Philippines clarified that it was never their intention to put their students in such a dire situation and that they were made aware of where to find their vehicles and concert ground exits. It also clarified that students were not forced to walk towards their vehicles but opted to do so on their own to reach them earlier.
In its latest statement, Bestlink College of the Philippines clarified that it was never their intention to put their students in such a dire situation and that they were made aware of where to find their vehicles and concert ground exits. It also clarified that students were not forced to walk towards their vehicles but opted to do so on their own to reach them earlier.
Should it fail to respond to the show cause order, CHED says it will have to come up with a decision based on documents they currently have.
Should it fail to respond to the show cause order, CHED says it will have to come up with a decision based on documents they currently have.
This is not the first time Bestlink College of the Philippines was embroiled in controversy. In 2017, a bus carrying students of the institution, who were out on a camping trip, rammed an electric post after losing brakes in Tanay, Rizal. The accident claimed the lives of the driver, several passengers and injured dozens more.
This is not the first time Bestlink College of the Philippines was embroiled in controversy. In 2017, a bus carrying students of the institution, who were out on a camping trip, rammed an electric post after losing brakes in Tanay, Rizal. The accident claimed the lives of the driver, several passengers and injured dozens more.
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Bestlink College of the Philippines
Commission on Higher Education
CHED
Cinderella Filipina Jaro
Quezon City
Bataan
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