No need for socialized tuition at SUCs

Agham youth rejects the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) issued by the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Budget and Management for the use of the Higher Education Support Fund. With the IRR,  the free tuition program will be implemented through a Socialized Tuition Scheme (STS).

According to a study conducted by Agham Youth, using data from the Department of Budget and Management, the P8.3-billion additional allocation for higher education is enough to cover the tuition fees of all students in all state colleges and universities (SUCs) nationwide in the academic year 2017-2018, even without STS.

Agham Youth calls on all students, school administrations, teachers and the various sectors of the society to fight for free tuition and free education for all, and to oppose any scheme or form of socialized tuition and any increase in other school fees.

CHEd and the DBM should cease being the spoilers in the implementation of the free tuition program that all students of SUCs deserve to enjoy in the next academic year. Agham Youth calls on President Duterte to be true to his promise of free tuition for all SUC students.

HAZEL MARY RODELAS, chair, Agham Youth UP Diliman, [email protected]