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Refocusing Education

The University of the People is up for grabs.

January 24. The premier University of the Philippines (UP) is up for commercialization, the charter elucidated. In an Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) at the College of Mass Communication, Alvin Peters of the National Unions of the Philippines and Student Regent Terry Ridon delve into these topics as students listen in.

Peters brought up the danger in UP not being the university of the people any longer because the education it offers is now believed to be commercialized. Imperative is that UP education has become unaffordable for deserving scholars.

He also expressed that UP is the "Guinea Pig" for state colleges and universities (SCUs). The tuition increase in the University of the Philippines has become the basis for the increase in tuition of other SCUs.

Accordingly, Peters emphasized the need to critically analyze the education system of the Philippines.

"This is our sector. Bilang kabataan at mga estudyante, mahalagang nakikilatis natin, nasusuri natin kung ano ´yong mga umiiral na polisiya sa bansa." He said.

According to him, education has become a "lucrative business" for the private sectors because of the uncomplicated process of acquiring a permit to establish an educational institution.

The annual increase in tuition and other fees has become a rule and not an exception. Supported by Section 42 of the Education Act of 1982, private schools have the privilege to raise their tuition and other fees and this, according to Peters, "intensified the commercial nature of education."

The little regard of the government for education, not prioritizing it in its expenditures, has become a crisis for the education system. Shortage in chairs, books, classrooms, teachers and principals is the manifestation.

Answering the last question of Peters on UP´s role in the commercialized, colonial educational policy shaping Philippine education is the discussion of Terry Ridon on UP´s education system and the proposed charter change.

Ridon advised students to be critical of the proposed changes in the UP Charter indicated in the two Charter Bills - the House and the Senate Bills. In the bicameral committee, these bills are to be reconciled for compromise.

He emphasized three points in analyzing these bills: democratic access, democratic governance, and utilization of idle assets.

In choosing the proposed charter to be supported, Ridon said that an effective charter is one that seeks students’ consent. He said, "bakit ka pa nagtanong kung ipapasa mo rin naman kahit ayaw naman namin?"

Ridon argued that entry in UP should not be based on a student´s financial capacity. For as long as a person passed the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT), he/she gains the ticket to the university and is deserving of UP education.

Furthermore, he suggests that it is best to remove Malacañang´s power to appoint the UP President. As of now, there are four powerful Malacañang-appointed Regents who can determine the long-term policy of the University in the utilization of its idle lands, and more importantly, its tuition structure.

A UP System Assembly, which is a more democratic mechanism similar to the system implemented in outstanding universities in Europe, is suggested. This system seeks the compromise of the sectoral representatives from all UP units.

Lastly, Ridon rejects the UP charter which purposes the outright sale and long-term leases of the University´s lands. He said, "hindi ´yon dapat ginagamit for commercial purposes."

On January 28, the Senate ratified the proposed new Charter of the University of the Philippines. (Read story on Inquirer.net)