Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill which seeks to provide relief to student-beneficiaries of the Free Higher Education and Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs under Republic Act No. 10931.
Recall that Section 6 of Republic Act 10931 otherwise known as “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act” pertains to exceptions to free education.
The following students are ineligible to avail of the free tertiary education and shall be charged the tuition and other school fees:
In SUCs and LUCs:
- Students who fail to complete their bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate degree within a year after the period prescribed in their program
In State Run Technical Vocation Institution (TVIs)
- Students who fail in any course enrolled in during the course of the program
Lapid’s Senate Bill 2141 pushes that these particular ineligibilities provided in Section 6 of RA 10931 will not be imposed on students based upon proof that the ground/s arose due to a condition or circumstances such as, but not limited to, financial distress, lack of proper and adequate remote learning resources, mental health issues, contracting a disease or disability and other situations related to a national or local emergency lasting for three months or more.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, it is now more than ever that this particular amendment to the Free Tertiary Education Act finds more relevance and significance.
“Napakahalaga na masiguro natin na kahit sa gitna ng hirap at pagsubok na dulot ng pandemyang ito, dapat na tuloy-tuloy ang edukasyon at pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan lalo’t kasama ang mga nasa kolehiyo,” the veteran legislator stressed.
“Hindi mapipilitan bumitaw sa pag-aaral ang mga nasa kolehiyo.”
“Sa gitna ng problema sa panggastos, kawalan ng trabaho at ang pagtama ng sakit sa pami-pamilya, dapat na siguruhin ng ating gobyerno na tuloy lang ang edukasyon sa ating nakababatang populasyon at hindi mapipilitan bumitaw sa pag-aaral ang mga nasa kolehiyo,” the seasoned lawmaker explained.
Compassion demands that all efforts must be made to help them remain enrolled and in school, albeit online or distance education setups.
Likewise, moving beyond the pandemic, same relief must also be afforded to students affected by national or local emergencies that span long periods of time.
The relief granted by this measure shall retroactively apply to students affected by the State of Public Health Emergency declared by the President of the Philippines in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CHED and TESDA shall ensure and monitor the compliance of public or private HEIs/TVIs on the retroactive application of this temporary relief.
“Bilang isang mambabatas, naiintindihan ko ang pinagdadaanang hirap ng ating mga estudyante lalo na sa kolehiyo. Matindi rin ang pagsubok maging sa kanilang mga pamilya sa gitna ng pandemyang ito,” the senator said.
“Higit isang taon na tayong nilulugmok ng pandemyang ito at malamang marami na tayong mga mag-aaral sa kolehiyo kasama na ang mga tech-voc students ang napilitan nang hindi muna mag-enroll ng isa o dalawang semestre dahil na rin na kakulangan sa pera,” he stressed.
“Isinusulong ko ang panukalang magbibigay sa kanila ng dagdag na oportunidad.”
“Ang ilan maaaring naka-enroll man pero sa kasamaang palad ay hindi naipasa ang kanilang klase sa hirap na rin ng distance learning set-up. Kaya isinusulong ko ang panukalang magbibigay sa kanila ng dagdag na oportunidad para manatili sila sa paaralan at patuloy silang makatanggap ng edukasyon,” Lapid concluded.