Proposed Free Tuition Fee Questioned By PH Business Group
The proposed legislation of free tuition fee for college students was questioned by different Philippines business groups.
Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), who leads the business groups said that they were supporting the government’s goal to provide a free tertiary education for the students, but economic managers from the government warned the unintended consequences of the program.
The group wanted to reverse the trend of free tuition fee by funding the other gaps to the scholarship to ensure the consistency of the students until graduation, whether in private or public schools. Adding educational access is also needed in order to improve the quality of education in the Philippines.
23 percent of unemployed youth in the labor market were college educated, referring to the underemployed employees in the country, according to the group. They also said that increased access quality education can produce competitive employees.
The business groups suggested to intensify the student financial assistance programs by providing more funds to the voucher system, instead of providing free tuition fees. This system could cover the total cost of college education in both private and public schools.
We share with the senators the goal towards a quality tertiary education system that allows for multiple pathways to success, be that technical education or college, opens up genuine opportunities for everyone, rich or poor, and supports Philippine competitiveness by producing a highly educated and skilled workforce,” said by the group quoted by Philstar.
Canadian Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines, Makati Business Club, American Chamber of Commerce, Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry were supporting the statement of PBEd.
On Monday, the final reading of the proposed Affordable Higher Education Act aims to reduce the cost of tertiary education in the country have already passed in the senate.
