Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Few things are more important to Filipino families than education. The pursuit of a diploma carries such weight that parents go to great lengths to fund it, even pawning their properties or working abroad to meet the ever-increasing educational costs.
In 2017, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, or Republic Act 10931, made education more accessible by institutionalizing free tuition and fee exemptions in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs). This law proved crucial, especially during the pandemic when households grappled with economic hardship due to job losses and livelihood disruptions.
However, in September of this year, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno proposed a nationwide screening of students to determine eligibility for free education, emphasizing the need to optimize limited government resources. The free education fund primarily relies on taxpayers, and Diokno was alarmed by the rising dropout rates, prompting his recommendation for a screening test to identify those who truly deserve the help.
The finance chief’s proposal, though well-intentioned, was met with opposition from various sectors, contending it was not the right approach. During a House hearing on the budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), chairperson Prospero de Vera defended the program, labeling it as the “best anti-poverty strategy” and highlighting its positive impact on Filipinos’ access to college education.
Opinions on this issue vary, with valid arguments on both sides. However, a recent Pulse Asia survey, commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s office and released on Oct. 24, 2023, paints a compelling picture: a staggering “98 percent of Filipinos favor free tuition in public universities.”
According to a statement, this support transcends economic classes: “99 percent in Classes ABC, 97 percent in Class D, and 100 percent in Class E.” It also spans geographical regions, including “NCR at 98 percent, Balance Luzon at 96 percent, Visayas at 99 percent, and Mindanao at 100 percent.”
The survey, conducted from Sept. 10 to 14, indicated that the primary reason for supporting free tuition is the “increase in the number of graduates,” emphasizing the belief that a college degree paves the way to a better quality of life and enhanced opportunities.
The senator has pointed out that because of RA 10931, which he co-authored and co-sponsored, “youth participation in higher education has increased.” He noted that from 2018-2022, when the free higher education law was already in effect, the progression rate from senior high school to college has surged to an average of 81 percent.
What many survey respondents may not be aware of is that a budgetary deficiency of ₱4.1 billion looms over SUCs for free higher education in fiscal year 2024. The senator has vowed to work toward addressing this deficiency so it wouldn’t affect the capacity of SUCs to invest in facilities, laboratories, and other resources essential for ensuring quality education.
The intention behind the law is commendable, as it has positively affected the number of university graduates and, consequently, employment prospects for the youth. Whether the free education program will suffer a setback due to financial constraints is a matter that our economic managers should look into. It may be a burden on the pocket at present but if long-term returns would redound to more benefits in all forms, there appears to be no compelling reason to halt this program at this time.
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
