100 Too Many?
A recent article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer quotes a study funded by the Asian Development Bank. It seems that the main finding of the study is that there are too many universities in the Philippines! They put the blame on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for allowing more and more universities and colleges to operate. Now the main recommendation is that the government should aim to reduce the number of universities since this "oversupply" they claim is diluting the quality of higher education. I could not disagree more.
First of all, if they claim CHED screwed up the accreditation of the universities what is the assurance that they are going to do a better job cherry picking which ones to remain in operation? Second, are these so-called experts telling us that they know better than what the markets set as equilibrium number of schools and degree programs? Are they telling parents and students that they are in a better position to decide which schools should be patronized? Third, how is it that more players in the higher education business (yes it is a business) result in lower quality? Is it not competition that spur greater improvement? The quality of philippine telecomminications only improved after they deregulated entry to the industry.
I know that some of these schools have a long way to go to deserve the honor of being called colleges and universities, but they do meet the demand from the public. If they are of good quality, the education market will reward them by increased enrollment and higher revenues. If they are the so-called 'diploma mills' eventually they will fade away as graduates realize that the value of education from these type of schools are not worth as much in the labor market. Markets are not perfect, but I'd rather place my bets on it than a bureaucrat.
First of all, if they claim CHED screwed up the accreditation of the universities what is the assurance that they are going to do a better job cherry picking which ones to remain in operation? Second, are these so-called experts telling us that they know better than what the markets set as equilibrium number of schools and degree programs? Are they telling parents and students that they are in a better position to decide which schools should be patronized? Third, how is it that more players in the higher education business (yes it is a business) result in lower quality? Is it not competition that spur greater improvement? The quality of philippine telecomminications only improved after they deregulated entry to the industry.
I know that some of these schools have a long way to go to deserve the honor of being called colleges and universities, but they do meet the demand from the public. If they are of good quality, the education market will reward them by increased enrollment and higher revenues. If they are the so-called 'diploma mills' eventually they will fade away as graduates realize that the value of education from these type of schools are not worth as much in the labor market. Markets are not perfect, but I'd rather place my bets on it than a bureaucrat.
posted by F @ 5:55 PM
2 Comments:
At 8:55 AM,
K said…
CHED plays with the supply and demand law frequently. A lot of colleges and universities began offering nursing programs in recent years due to increasing demand in other wealthy countries. In Naga City alone, I can't think of a school without a nursing curriculum. The same thing happened during the time IT graduates are very much in demand. Almost every college and university offer computer science and other information technology related courses. In the end, IT graduates with mediocre skills cannot find decent jobs. Some of the IT schools like STI are now offering nursing. :)
At 1:21 PM,
F said…
STI offering nursing? do they offer merchant marine training too? :) well nurses need computer skills too from what i hear from philippine nurses, adjusting to computer applications here is one of the things they had a hard time with once arriving here.
I also heard that programs that teach "Care Giving" are also sprouting. I say if the world market demands it, who are we to say they shouldn't jump at the profit opportunity.
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