The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) will start offering this June free online review classes for the agriculturist licensure examination (LEA). 

The UPLB, CHED and 15 select state universities and colleges (SUCs) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to launch ExcelLEArate, a review and strategy program to ready students in schools in far-flung areas and with LEA scores that need improvement. 

During the signing of the MOA, CHED Chair Prospero De Vera III said agriculture students from provincial SUCs spend P15,000 to P20,000 for review centers alone.

De Vera said students in far-flung provinces without any review center are more disadvantaged. He cited as example agriculture students in the Sulu State College in Jolo, Sulu who travel 10 hours by boat for a review center in Zamboanga and are forced to travel and shoulder living and travel expenses. 

“This time we will make it more inclusive and accessible,” UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. said.

CHED estimates that around 500 students will benefit from the free online review program.

The LEA has an average national passing rate of 35.56%. In the past five years, CHED said many SUCs offering BS in Agriculture are “performing below” the national passing rate. 

For comparison, UPLB’s College of Agriculture and Food Science recorded a 99.02 passing percentage during the 2023 LEA. 

The 2024 LEA is scheduled for November 12 to 14, 2024. Online registration opens on August 12 this year.  

Among the select SUCs 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 the University of Rizal System – Tanay Campus.