A Wake-up Call for the University of the Philippines System

The wake of a 16-year old freshman Behavioral Sciences student from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila who took her own life has become a venue for a number of youth-oriented groups from within and outside the University to voice out their call to modify “unjust tuition policies.” The President of the Kabataan Party list, a local cause-oriented group, expressed the collective grief on the death of student Kristel Tejada and insisted that the unfortunate event is yet another “manifestation of the deeply-seated problems hounding the Philippine education system.” 

Tragedy unfolds

Tejada committed suicide early in the morning of March 15, Friday allegedly due to lack of money for her college tuition for the second semester of the academic year, which commenced in November 2012. She was unable to pay for the portion of her tuition fee that was not covered by the Socialized Tuition Fee and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) that is implemented by the University of the Philippines System to subsidize tuition and miscellaneous fees.

Tejada was assigned to STFAP Bracket D requiring her to pay PhP300.00 (approximately US$7) per unit, and appealed for full tuition subsidy (Bracket E) due to her family’s dire financial circumstances. Her appeal is still under process. The existing “no late payment policy” that is implemented in the campus required her into a forced LOA (leave of absence) by mid-March along with other students in similar circumstance. A few days later she was found dead at her residence in Tondo, Manila.

UP Manila Chancellor explains situation in an emotional press conference

UP Manila administration and faculty expressed sadness and regret at the fate that befell the young freshman. UP Manila Chancellor Manuel Agulto insists that UP administrators are surrogate parents who want to nurture the dreams of students rather than pose obstacles. Chancellor Agulto was very emotional in a recent press conference explaining the circumstances surrounding the student’s enrollment issues. He explained that Tejada was given an extension thrice in the course of the second semester to fulfill her dues, along with other students.

Call for resignation

The faculty of the Department of Behavioral Sciences of the College of Arts and Sciences of UP Manila called on the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the campus to resign in light of the tragic events. The faculty holds the officials accountable for Tejada’s demise. The parents of the late 16-year old were present during the release of this statement from the faculty and support it fully. They are devastated at the loss of their eldest daughter who entered the university in the country in the hopes of becoming a doctor for the poor.

High cost of tertiary education

Students accepted at the University of the Philippines, the country’s premier state university, have been called “Iskolar ng Bayan,” (national scholars) in recognition of the fact that Filipino taxpayers subsidize their studies in part. In the past few years, the tuition hike that was implemented throughout the UP System has been a perennial issue. Students who enjoy the benefit of a full tuition subsidy are only those who are assigned an STFAP Bracket E. This has always been the case. But due to the changes in the STFAP instituted in 2006, students in Brackets A to D now have to deal with higher tuition payments per unit.

Who is to blame?

The Office of the President of the Philippines insists that the Executive Branch of government does not have control on the tuition fees required by higher education institutions in the country. The spokesperson for the President said that matters with regard to tuition are under the auspices of the Commission for Higher Education (CHED). This provoked youth groups which pointed out that the CHED is in fact under the Office of the President. The call for change is not only directed at the UP System but CHED and the Office of the President of the Philippines as well. However, the question remains. Would revisions in tuition policies be enough to prevent another unfortunate event?