Halos 4 sa 10 students nagdo-drop out, panahon na para palakasin ang free college law

IKINAAALARMA ni reelected Leyte  Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez ang tumataas na dropout rates sa mga public colleges and universities.

Dahil dito, hinikayat nito ang agarang akayon para palakasin ang Free Higher Education Law at pigilan na maapektuhan ang milyong estudyante.

“Free tuition was a landmark achievement, but the work is far from over. Nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges are still dropping out. In some regions, the situation is even more alarming,” ani Romualdez.

Base sa datos mula sa Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), sinabi ni Romualdez na ang national dropout rate sa school year 2023 hanggang 2024 ay umabot na sa 39%.

Sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), ay nasa 93.4%.

Central Visayas ay napaulat na 60.7%; Zamboanga Peninsula, 59.5%; Cordillera, 54.9%; Metro Manila, 52.4%; Soccsksargen, 51.2%; at Western Visayas, 50.2%.

“These are not just statistics. They are shattered dreams and interrupted futures, often because students cannot afford transportation, food, rent, books or internet. We need to protect and build on the gains of the Free Higher Education Law by ensuring students have the means to actually finish school,” dagdag nito.

Nagpahayag naman ito ng suporta sa

 House Resolution (HR) No. 61 na inihain ni Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, na nagsusulong sa pagsasagawa ng full review sa implementation at long-term sustainability ng Republic Act (RA) 10931 o Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Dapat din isama aniya sa rebyu ang pagtukoy sa support mechanisms na lagpas pa sa  tuition coverage upang makapagtapos ang mga estudyante sa kanilang kurso.

(Vina de Guzman)