CSC: Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE)

Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE)

(C) Rappler

This eligibility is granted pursuant to Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 907, dated March 11, 1976, titled “Granting Civil Service Eligibility to College Honor Graduates”.

WHO ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE GRANT OF HGE

The following individuals shall be entitled to the grant of HGE upon submission of required documents:

     a. Those who graduated summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude, in their baccalaureate degree, regardless of the number of years of completion;

     b. Those who graduated from school year 1972-1973, and thereafter; and

     c. Those who graduated in:

         c.1.  Private Higher Education Institution in the Philippines with baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree recognized by the CHED; or

         c.2.  State/Local College or University with baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree included in its charter, or baccalaureate/ bachelor’s degree duly approved by its    Board of Trustees/Board of Regents.

APPROPRIATENESS OF HGE

The HGE shall be considered appropriate for first and second level positions in the government that do not involve practice of profession and are not covered by Bar/board/other special laws.

DATE OF EFFECTIVITY OF HGE

The date of effectivity of the HGE shall be the date of course completion/graduation (as indicated in the Transcript of Record/school certification that the applicant graduated with honors).

PERIOD OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR HGE

Filing of applications for the grant of HGE is continuous.

OTHER POLICIES ON HGE

A. Provided under ERPO Memo No. 1447, s. 2008 dated October 29, 2008 – (Clarificatory Guidelines on the Grant of PD 907 Eligibility)
PD No. 907, among others, explicitly provides that “it is considered that graduation with honors earned under the competitive atmosphere of the academic community is as good as qualifying mark in a competitive examination to determine merit and excellence for public employment;”. (underscoring ours)

B. Policy on Honor Graduates of Distance Education
(pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 1101645)

PD No. 907, among others, explicitly provides that “it is considered that graduation with honors earned under the competitive atmosphere of the academic community is as good as qualifying mark in a competitive examination to determine merit and excellence for public employment;”. (underscoring ours)

Section 4, Article II of Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 27, s. 2005 defines Distance Education as “a mode of educational delivery whereby teacher and learner are separated in time and space, and instruction is delivered through specially designed materials and methods using appropriate technologies, and supported by organizational and administrative structures and arrangements.”

Hence, the nature and workings of distance education, especially the separateness of teacher and learner, is evidently restricted so much so as it reduces the extent of realization and carrying out of a competitive atmosphere that is present in conventional education/schooling.

Furthermore, it is manifest that under distance education, “competitive atmosphere of the academic community”, which plays a crucial role and consideration in the grant of HGE, is not being maximized and capitalized on by the stakeholders because of their being separated from one another. In this context, distance education is contended as vulnerable to working under loose safeguards.

Therefore, for purposes of the grant of Honor Graduate eligibility pursuant to PD No. 907, it is ruled that the nature and workings of Distance Education fall short of the contemplation of PD No. 907. Corollary, honor graduates of Distance Education shall not qualify for the grant of HGE.

C. Policy on the Distinctions of Excellentisimus, Benemeritus, Meritisimus, and Beneprobatus (pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 1101645)

As explained by the Commission on Higher Education, the distinctions of Excellentisimus (Excellent), Benemeritus (Very Good), Meritisimus (Good), and Beneprobatus (Passed) refer only to “marks/grades that a student may receive after the completion of his/her dissertation/thesis paper”. It is worthy to note that a dissertation/thesis paper is merely in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a certain degree program.

In contrast, the Latin honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude refer to “honors conferred based on a student’s scholastic performance and the fulfillment and completion of all the requirements of the program”. Thus, the Latin honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude are being conferred after all requirements have been completed, including the requirement for thesis/dissertation paper.

Therefore, the distinctions of Excellentisimus, Benemeritus, Meritisimus, and Beneprobatus are not comparable to the Latin honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude and, hence, do not fall in the ambit of PD No. 907.

 

Read more:

 

·         Different Kinds of Eligibilities Granted under Philippines Special Laws and CSC Issuances

·         What are the basic Qualifications for Grant of Eligibility under Special Laws and CSC Issuances?

·         WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS?