To: Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Superintendents
Presidents, State Colleges and Universities
Heads of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities

1. In consonance with paragraph 30 of DECS Order No. 32, s. 1987, the following are additional benefits of curricular deregulation to Level III institutions/programs certified by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines, approved by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports:
   1. Authority to introduce new degree courses allied to existing accredited programs without need of prior approval of the curriculum and grant of permit by DECS.
      Attainment of Level III status implies the high standard of quality and tested competence of an accredited program or institution. Giving authority to such a program or school to introduce new courses is recognition of these qualities. Deregulation in this area of activity will save DECS a lot of paper work and supervisory effort. This authority, however, is to be exercised when the present moratorium (DECS Order No. 51, s. 1987) is lifted.
   2. Authority to revise the curricula, including credits, without DECS approved, provided minimal DECS requirements and guidelines are complied with.
      Within the framework of DECS requirements and guidelines, revision of curricula, including credits should be left to the judgment of these who manage an accredited program or institution. This would not only encourage initiative and innovativeness, but would save much time, expense, and effort for all concerned.
   3. Authority to grant overloads in meritorious cases during regular and summer terms, provided DECS prescription on overload is abided by.
      Provided DECS regulations on overload are followed, programs and institutions accredited on Level III should have the authority to grant overloads in meritorious cases during both the regular and the summer terms. Viewed against the tremendous workload of DECS in its regulatory function, the arrangement would free the Department of a basically routine but time-consuming work.
   4. Authority to grant credits in accredited programs for subjects taken in foreign schools.
      Determining credit equivalencies between foreign schools on the one hand and Philippine schools on the other is a difficult and inexact process. Shifting the responsibility from DECS to the accredited program or school may not guarantee that such process will be perfect, but the school is in a better position to investigate applications and to gather data on the subject. Also, it would mean less work for DECS.
   5. Exemption from sub-division of class and teachers’ programs, school calendars, enrolment lists, and reports on promotion (Form XIX) in accredited programs.
      Level III programs and schools have demonstrated the capability to manage the major aspects of educational work without help. The routine tasks of submitting enrolment lists, school calendars, and the like can easily be entrusted to such schools and thus lighten the routine job of DECS.
   6. One-time submission of documents so that future requests simply refer to documents previously submitted.
      In dealing with DECS, schools are generally under pressure at certain times of the year to submit voluminous documents which admittedly are important. Frequently, standard materials with old data are required for the purpose. It would save both DECS and the accredited program or school valuable time and effort if a workable filing system can be developed.
   7. Exemption from supervision of the regional office on programs that are already accredited.
      On the premise that accredited programs and schools have attained a degree of excellence and trustworthiness in administering its educational operations, there is little need, if at all, from class supervision by DECS. Therefore, local supervision by regional offices can be dispensed with and regional supervisors could concentrate instead on unaccredited programs and schools that need help.
2. It is requested that this Memorandum be given immediate dissemination.

References: DECS Orders Nos. 32 and 31, s. 1987
Allotment: 1-2-3-4—(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
ACCREDITATION
AUTHORITY
COURSE OF STUDY, COLLEGIATE
POLICY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

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