free tuition fee

Sen. Bam: Students to enjoy free SUCs starting 2nd sem of school year 2017-18

A senator expects students to benefit from the free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) beginning the second semester of school year 2017-18.

 “Napag-usapan sa bicam na it will be effective second semester ng school year 2017-2018 because by the time na ma-publish ito at maging batas, baka tapos na ang enrollment ng first semester,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal sponsor and co-author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in the Senate.

 “We’re hoping that by November or second semester, libre na ang tuition at iba pang bayarin sa ating SUCs,” the senator added.

 As one of its major salient points, the measure prohibits SUCs from collecting other fees from students, making tertiary education totally free for underprivileged students.

 “Kapag napirmahan na ito bilang batas, magiging state policy na libre na ang tertiary level education pagdating sa SUCs at LUCs natin,” said Sen. Bam, who defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Sen. Bam was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 If enacted into law, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also make scholarship grants available to students of both public and private college and universities.

The final version of the measure has been ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.

Bam: Provide free tuition for all SUC students, pass measure ASAP

A senator affirmed that all students in state colleges and universities (SUCS) stand to benefit from Senate Bill No. 1304 or the Affordable Higher Education for All Act once it is enacted into law.

“We commend the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for coming out with the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the allotted budget. But our priority remains to be the passage of the Affordable Higher Education for All Act so all students in SUCs are provided free tuition,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was referring to the IRR jointly issued by CHED and DBM in connection with the P8 billion earmarked in the 2017 budget for the free tuition fees in SUCs.  

The senator stated that under the currently allotted budget, only around half of the students in SUCs stand to benefit from free tuition.

But once Senate Bill No. 1304 is passed into law, every SUC student can avail of free tuition. There will also be a mechanism for more financially-abled students to opt to pay for their tuition fee.

 “May mga pagkakaiba ang panukala kumpara sa inilabas na IRR ukol sa paggamit ng inilaang pondo,” said Sen. Bam.

“We’re hoping to file a resolution and invite CHED to give the Senate a full briefing of the IRR. Kailangan klaro ito sa publiko, lalo na sa mga estudyante at kanilang mga magulang,” Sen. Bam announced.

 “More importantly, we must ensure the passage of the Affordable Higher Education for All Act in Congress, so that all students in SUCs can avail of free tuition,” he added.

 During his eight-month tenure as Committee on Education chairman, Sen. Bam pushed for the passage of the Affordable Higher Education for All Act or Senate Bill No. 1304 as principal sponsor and co-author. The measure was approved by the Senate on third and final reading via an 18-0 vote.

 After the House passes its own version of the bill, a bicameral conference committee will be held to consolidate both versions. If the final version is ratified by both Houses, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for the President’s approval. 

“In 1988, secondary education was made free. Now we have the opportunity to pass another major reform – to make tuition free in our state universities and colleges,” Sen. Bam asserted.

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