AGRICULTURE students in 15 state universities and colleges will now get a boost in passing the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists by attending free online review classes run by the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

This is after the Commission on Higher Education, UPLB, and 15 SUCs partnered to provide a free online review program to students from SUCs in far-flung areas without the availability of review centers.

Based on CHED data analytics, many SUCs are offering BS in Agriculture that are performing below the National Passing Percentage for the last five years.

Students in these areas fail the licensure tests because there are no review schools in the area or they have to travel far to attend review classes.

The cost of review classes ranges from P10,000 – P15,000 plus the living expenses during the duration of the classes.

Hence, CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera, UP President Angelo Jimenez, UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr., and the Presidents and representatives from identified SUCs signed today (04 May 2024) a memorandum of agreement to launch ExcelLEArate: A Review and Strategy Program to Empower Students for Licensure Examination for Agriculturists.

“We will use the expertise of the UP Los Baños to conduct free licensure classes for our agriculture students who are preparing for the LEA. We do this because I recognized the struggles faced by the graduates from SUCs in remote regions during my visits. Hence, we came up with this project on a free review program on agriculture approved and funded by CHED,” De Vera said.

“UP’s vision is transformative education and service to the nation. All the academic achievements of UP will only be meaningful if they change the lives of the Filipino people. Hence, we extend our support and expertise to CHED through these free review classes for agriculture students. Rest assured, this will be replicated in our Fisheries program,” Jimenez said.

The average national passing rate of the LEA Board Examination for the last 5 years, 2019-2023, is 35.56 percent.

“Secretary De Vera instructed me to utilize the ILab Project granted to UPLB by CHED to extend help to SUCs by providing free review classes to students after he heard of their struggles during his campus visits. This is just one of many projects of CHED and UP for capacity building. This will ripple to faculty development, coaching, mentoring, and many more,” Camacho said.

“Isa sa mga problema namin sa BARMM ay wala kaming review program. Our students have to travel to Dipolog to take review classes. Hence, we are grateful to CHED and Secretary De Vera because he heard and took action to resolve our concerns. We are also grateful to UP for opening their door by partnering with SUCs to help our agriculture students achieve their dreams,” Sulu State College President Charisma Ututalum said.

There are 15 SUCs identified to participate in the online review class based on their performance in the LEA, geographical location, presence of internet connectivity, and absence or presence of review centers within their areas.

Among which are Basilan State College, Batanes State College, Capiz State University (Tapaz Campus), Isabela State University (Palanan Campus), Kalinga State University, Mindanao State University (Sulu Campus), North Eastern Mindanao State University (San Miguel Campus), Northwest Samar State University (San Jorge Campus), Quirino State University, Romblon State University (Cajidiocan Campus), Southern Luzon State University (Tayabas Campus), Sulu State College, Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College, University of Eastern Philippines (Catubig Campus), and University of Rizal System (Tanay Campus).

The review program is expected to start in June of this year before the 2024 October LEA.

Business leaders and stakeholders are urged to take an active role in workforce development.