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Losing the student vote
Vote Kabataan Partylist! Check out the new pictures in my photoblog.
Since 1998, student groups have been complaining how easily schools could impose exorbitant and ludicrous fees without consulting the students. Many schools have been foregoing tuition increases in favor of miscellaneous fee increases since the latter are not subject to regulation.
In 2003, the Commission on Higher Education formed a committee to review tuition guidelines in the country. Private school owners were represented in this body. After more than two years, Ched announced its decision to impose a tuition cap and the regulation of miscellaneous fees.
Since 2005, Ched has been bragging how it resisted the intense lobbying of private school owners to reverse its decision. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has boasted how her administration took appropriate steps to make college education more affordable to young Filipinos.
A few weeks ago, Ched surprised us with its announcement of restoring the old tuition guidelines which empowers schools to charge not only higher but also a variety of unnecessary fees. Private school owners admitted of having a dialogue with President Arroyo to appeal the removal of the tuition cap and other tuition regulation measures. Obviously, the President relented to the lobbying of schools.
The government is inconsistent and lacks political will in implementing its higher education policies. Ched’s action runs counter to recent efforts to bring down the cost of other basic social services: Congress passed a bill which intends to lower the prices of medicines and the President herself vowed to reduce electricity rates. Private school owners were no different from drug firms which have been shamelessly blocking measures to lower the cost of medicines.
Election candidates are challenged to condemn the recent decision of Ched for failing to consult all stakeholders of education. Candidates are urged speak up against the rising cost of education which deprives thousands of young Filipinos the chance to enter college.
President Arroyo, the politician, may have succumbed to the pressure of private school owners – which include the Catholic Church and big business – for fear of losing their support in the coming elections. We remind the President that schools may have the money but young Filipinos, which include the students, will comprise majority of voters this May. And we will not forget how she turned her back on her promise to work for a more accessible type of college education.
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During the past weeks, the military visited some campuses in Metro Manila to educate (read: indoctrinate) students of its anti-insurgency campaign. Soldiers warned students not to join progressive youth organizations which were described as ‘communist fronts’. They accused these groups of being ‘anti-family, anti-God, anti-society and anti-government’. Few students will dare to stand up and question the false claims of the military. How could there be an open and candid discussion of ideas if armed soldiers are roaming the campus?
These ‘peacekeeping missions’ of the military are unnecessary, illegal and dangerous. These create a chilling effect in campuses. The military aims to frighten students who are contemplating of joining groups which are critical of government policies. Students will remember how armed soldiers visited the campus and identified the groups which are ‘enemies of the state’.
We cannot ignore the message the military wants to convey: Members of progressive youth organizations are already legitimate targets of the military since they are ‘communist fronts’. Is this the reason why leftist youth leaders are harassed, abducted and killed in different parts of the country?
School officials should explain why they allowed armed soldiers to enter the campus and intimidate the students. The Commission on Higher Education should not endorse the lecture series sponsored by the military.
These are not ordinary times. The military is accused of abetting human rights violations. Both the Melo Commission and Alston Report identified the culpability of the military in the high number of extrajudicial killings in the country. Instead of instituting measures to restore public trust, the military continues to be insensitive and arrogant by deploying soldiers in depressed communities and campuses.
Our message to the military hierarchy is simple: Send your soldiers to the barracks now! Use the Lenten Season as an occasion to reflect on the sufferings you have inflicted on our people.
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The government is reviving a proposal to impose a tax on texting. Go ahead, do it, now na! On May 14, the results will be 12-0 in favor of GO.
Related entries:
When education becomes business.
Overhaul tuition guidelines.
All out war
posted by: mongpalatino at March 10, 2007 10:48 |
link | comments (4) |
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