Gatchalian to SUCs, LUCs: Develop meaningful return service agreements for students

(Eagle News)—Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged state universities and local colleges to “develop meaningful return service agreements” to ensure that their students  contribute to nation-building, among others.

Gatchalian issued the statement following what he said was pressure being exerted by lawmakers in the House of Representatives on the Commission on Higher Education for it to remove a provision in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Free Higher Education Law  that says that SUCs and LUCs should formulate and implement an RSA system for students benefiting from the free higher education provision law as part of their admission and retention policies.

CHED Officer-in-Charge Prospero de Vera III said it is up to state universities, not CHED, to decide whether to implement a return service program, but expressed support for the RSA as well.

According to Gatchalian,  students could render return service by helping out as registration assistants or student assistants during the registration or enrollment period, volunteering during university-wide activities, and participating in outreach drives organized by their schools, among others.

“Return service programs will help train our students to become more responsible citizens and prepare them to become fully integrated and productive members of society,” he said.