Philippine E-Journals

On the free tuition fee of State Universities and Colleges

Dhanna Kerina B. Rodas

 

Abstract:

President Duterte’s Veto message for the fiscal year 2017 welcomed the initiative of Congress to provide free tuition fee to all students of SUCs starting the 1st semester of SY 2017-18. We were glad that he emphasized the importance to “underscore that we must still give priority to the financially disadvantaged, academically able students and our constitution’s provision for the student’s right to choose a profession or course of study that is “subject to fair and equitable admission and academic requirements.” These are guarantees for equitable access to education. As we all know, while we wish to assist all students who are financially disadvantaged, there are competencies and qualifications necessary to tackle higher education. Therefore, these students must have successfully passed secondary education.