Free tuition not forever; students must graduate on time

Free tuition for students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) is not a never-ending offer, a senator said Tuesday, noting that they should finish their degrees or courses within a year after the period prescribed in their academic program.

While the newly-signed Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931) provides free tuition to students in public institutions, there are stringent conditions for the enjoyment of the offer, Senator Ralph Recto was quoted as saying on "Unang Balita."

A student enrolled in a four-year course must finish the program within the designated time, with a one-year “elbow room” to complete the degree or course.

Recto emphasized that a four-year course should not take a student 10 years, in which case tuition is not free.

In jest, Recto said: "Hindi po 'magna' o 'summa' —magna-nine, o kaya'y summa-sampung taon sa college. Sobra-sobra na ang inilalagi sa kolehiyo.

Meanwhile, he said that a student at public technological-vocational school should be automatically disqualified from the free tuition program if he of she failed even in one subject.

RA 10931 has set a “one-strike rule” for public technological-vocational students. Section 6 says that a student in state-run technical vocational institutes (TVIs) loses the privilege if he fails “in any course.”    —LBG/KVD, GMA News