2000 students given a second chance at a Universided De Manila degree

For the 15,000 youths who failed the Universided De Manila (UDM) entrance exam, having failed to score the 93% minimum passing grade and thus losing their chance at a college education, it must have felt like the end of the world.

 

At first, it looked like only the 1,500 who passed the exam would have a chance at higher education. But on Friday, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada met with UDM regents, and an hour later, it was announced that 2,000 of those who failed the UDM entrance exam would be given the opportunity to enroll.

 

Students who failed the exam and who graduated from 32 public high schools in Manila flocked to the mayor's office that same Friday to secure a letter of recommendation, their chance for a UDM education, signed by Estrada himself.

 

"These students came from poor families, kailangan nilang makatapos at yun ang gusto nating mangyari. Bumagsak sila sa entrance examination ng eskwelahan pero di nangangahulugang wala na silang karapatang makapagtapos." Estrada explained.

 

UDM President Dr. Benjamin Tayabas pointed out that most those applying for the 2000 slots came from poorer families who finished their secondary education in Manila. "Yung mga nakakuha ng grade na 85 percent pataas at kinonsidera namin at pinagaralan talaga. Siyempre nais din ng eskwelahan na makapag produce ng kalidad na estudyante," Tayabas said.

Among the degrees offered at UDM are Mass Communication, Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Criminology.

Meanwhile, a hopeful student told GMA News that he scored 92 percent in the entrance test. Having failed, he had planned to head back to his home province and forget his dream of becoming a journalist.

"Buti na lang narinig ko nga ang announcement,” he said, relieved. — DVM, GMA News