Drill #3

“Meron na po ba kayong memo from OSA regarding dun sa breakdown for the tuition fee increase?”

            These were the words from a representative of the Arts and Letters (AB) Board of Majors regarding plans for tuition hike during the “Speak Up” forum last Feb. 10 held at the Rizal Lecture Hall of the St. Raymund de Peñafort Building.

            The proposed hike was said to be implemented next academic year, raising current fees by 5-8% as plotted by the economic board of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), saying that the funds collated will be used in preparation of the K-12 shift for 2016.

            Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) President Majann Lazo answered that she was invited to a meeting along with other leaders from various college bodies for a discussion concerning the said proposal on Feb. 20 which was said to be a private matter. 

 

         On the day of the meeting, student activist gathered in front of the venue to oppose further tuition fee increase, citing that there is no valid reason to do such actions.

           Organized by the Rise for Education and joined by Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon, the issue was also taken to Twitter, associated with the hastag #AyokongMagmahal making it third place among those who were trending in the Philippines.

            In an interview with Representative Ridon, he said the reason he was there was to show support to the UST community against Tuition and Other Fee Increase (TOFI), adding that since he is a member of the Commision on Higher Education (CHEd), he wanted to make sure that the reason for such increase would not be unwarranted.

            He also said that there would be instances that his presence is acknowledged during hearings conducted by CHEd and he is free to express his side as to why these actions should not be continued.

“Hindi naman tayo nagkukulang doon sa pagkakaroon ng paninindigan na dapat regulated yung pagtaas ng matrikula at pinapabayaan lamang sa mga paaralan and reason kung bakit magtataas,” added Ridon.

            “Kahit anong explain naming ang side ng mga estudyante, of course ipipilit at ipipilit nila yung increase ng [5%-8%],” quoted Lazo after the panel meeting, showing disappointment at the motives of the administration for the said plan.

When asked to give reasons why UST should not hold another increase, she said “[Taas na ng taas] ang tuition, hindi pa ba yun enough? Pangalawa, hindi naman tumataas ang sweldo ng magulang natin. Kung itataas yun, paano na yung mga estudyante na ginagapang talaga ang pagpapa-aral?”

Saying that the hearing was scripted, Lazo further expressed that there are redundant fees (e.g. energy fee, cultural fee) that she said were “exorbitant and dubious”, pointing “these are deceptive on the students’ part.”

If approved, this will be the fifth time UST has held an increase on its education over the last few years, with the previous increase of 3% of the supposed 5%-7% but was arranged by the administration and student council members to have a reduction.