By Peter Tabingo

THE nine campuses of the Isabela State University (ISU) allocated 57.3 percent of internally generated funds in 2023 for instruction expenses equivalent to P77.32 million.

Government auditors noted that the amount exceeded the required 50 percent share set under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 20, series of 2011 which states that at least half of the actual collection of tuition from students shall be set aside for instruction as the “primary function” of state colleges and universities.

Article 3 of the same CHED memorandum provides that the four components of instruction – faculty and staff development, curriculum development, student development, and facilities development – should ideally get a 12.5 percent share of the funding.

While acknowledging that higher education institutions (HEIs) might have their individual priorities, the CHED made it mandatory that the share of each of the four key components should not fall below 7.5 percent.

Net collection from tuition in 2023 was at P134.95 million after deducting P14.5 million for the SUC-Wide Common Cost.

ISU has nine campuses in Angadanan, Cabagan, Cauayan, Echague, Ilagan, Jones, Palanan, Roxas, San Mariano, San Mateo, and Santiago. Among them, the Palanan campus set aside the biggest share at 73.71 percent, followed by Cabagan with 68.1 percent.

By allocating more than the required 50 percent for instructions, ISU showed that it is focused on assuring broad access to quality program offerings in support of its bid to be the leading SUC in the Cagayan Valley Region.

“ISU is recognized as one of the top-ranking SUCs in the country and was awarded Center of the Development in Agriculture, Information Technology and Education. Over the years, ISU also gained notable achievements, places its mark to various licensure examinations surpassing national passing rates and providing top notchers,” the COA said.