Additional 1,570 plantilla teaching positions for state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Region 2 are required to bring the quality and competitiveness of higher education up to par, a study conducted by a technical working group commissioned by the Social Development Committee (SDC) revealed.

“The study was initiated to justify the creation of additional plantilla positions for teaching personnel of SUCs,” reported Dr. Florentina S. Dumlao, President of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and lead researcher of the study, during the Regional Development Council (RDC) 2’s joint meeting with its Advisory Committee held on October 13, 2014 at Sun City, Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

The study specifically looked into the existing faculty to student ratio in the five SUCs in the region. Results showed that only the Batanes State College (BSC) measures up to the standard ratio of 1:25 at 1:17. The four other SUCs exhibited a more crowded learning population, with the Cagayan State University (CSU) at 1:74, Isabela State University (ISU) at 1:52, Quirino State University (QSU) at 1:34, and NVSU at 1:33.

The inadequate number of faculty members in the SUCs also affects their performance as instructors since they are also involved in various SUC programs and academic affairs as well as in administrative functions, President Dumlao added.

To address this concern, the study recommended the creation of additional faculty plantilla with a total of 1,002 plantilla for CSU, 424 for ISU, 42 for QSU, and 102 for NVSU or a total of 1,570 for the region. With the additional faculty plantilla, it is expected that the learning environment in these schools will be more conducive to both teachers and students as the faculty members will be more focused in their teaching functions.

Ultimately, this will increase the competitiveness and efficiency of the region’s SUCs in delivering quality education to every student, President Dumlao said.

Congressional Representatives Hon. Carlos M. Padilla of the Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya, Hon. Randolph S. Ting of the 3rd District of Cagayan, and Hon. Ana Cristina S. Go of the 2nd District of Isabela expressed support to the proposal during the joint meeting. Said proposal will require from the government an estimated budget amounting to P517 million based on the salary and benefits received by a faculty member holding an Instructor I position.

Likewise, the RDC2 also showed its support to the proposal by signing Resolution No. 02-54-2014, “Endorsing the creation of the additional plantilla teaching positions in the SUCs”, during the meeting at Sta. Ana.#