Arroyo: Walang magtataas ng matrikula sa mga State U

MANILA - Inutusan ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nitong Lunes ang Commission on Higher Education (CHED) na itigil ang pagtataas ng matrikula sa mga State Universities at Colleges (SUCs). "I am directing the Commission on Higher Education to put off any increase in tuition fees for state universities and colleges this coming school year 2008-2009. I am also directing the CHED to communicate my appeal to private higher education institutions to reconsider and freeze plans to increase tuition fees and other fees this school year," pahayag ni Pangulong Arroyo. Sinabihan din niya ang CHED na iparating sa mga pribadong unibersidad ang kanyang apela na itigil ang mga planong pagtaas ng matrikula. "The last thing that our parents need at this point to keep their children striving for college diplomas is another round of adjustment in tuition fees and other school expenses," dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Ang patuloy na pagtaas ng mga presyo sa pagkain at gasolina ang nagtulak sa Pangulo upang pigilan ang pagtaas ng matrikula sa kolehiyo. "The non-stop increase in oil prices and the unprecedented food price shock now roiling the world are adversely affecting household incomes and forcing families to cut back on spending if not do away altogether with certain necessities," ayon sa kay Arroyo. "For us to keep producing highly-skilled graduates who will lead our country in its leap to first-world status in a decade's time, the government must reverse the drop-out rate and set off an environment conducing for our parents to provide quality tertiary education for their children, be it in private institution or in our state universities and colleges," dagdag pa niya. Ayon sa pahayag, iniutos ng Pangulo sa CHED na pag-aralan kung sumunod ba ang mga pribadong kolehiyo sa pagpapatupad ng "tuition hike." Ang nasabing utos ay inilagay upang protektahan at itaguyod ang karapatang pantao na magkaroon ng dekalidad na edukasyon mula sa elementarya hanggang sa kolehiyo. "The CHED should do an extensive study on the extent of compliance of past tuition fee increases with what the law provides for such adjustments, which is for school administrators to set aside 70% of the new fees for salaries and other benefits of their faculty and non-academic personnel and 20% for modernizing their facilities," ayon sa Pangulo. "Although the government cannot deny private business the fruits of its legitimate investments, especially in lofty causes such as higher learning, it must nonetheless balance this interest with that of the rest of our people who regard college education the lasting legacy to future generations," dagdag pa niya - Jane Dumaug