RedbloodedAtenean

Davao City- Students led by progressive groups League of Filipino Students, Anakbayan and KABATAAN Party-list stormed the regional office of the Commission on Higher Education to protest the irresponsibility of the government in protecting the right to education and demanded for tuition rollback and refund.

“The tuition and other fee increases is an expression that the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has sold-out the future of the youth to the avaricious educator-capitalists,” said Karlos Manlupig, LFS Regional Spokesperson.

The action was part of their participation to the Global Wave of Action wherein thousands of youth, students and teachers across the globe will launch different activities to demand for free and quality education.

According to CHED's figures, 339 private schools and 2 state universities and colleges implemented increases for the school year 2010-2011.

“Although some schools will not implement tuition increases, they still conspired with CHED by implementing increases in miscellaneous fees like laboratory fee, test fee and other fees in order to clinch super-profit,” Manlupig said.

“It is imperative that the government make immediate actions to rollback in tuition and refund the increases to the students and parents,” added Manlupig.

In a study conducted by UNESCO, 73% of the Filipino youth were forced to quit schooling due to unbearable and extortionate school fees. The study also presented that the survival rate in the college level is only 22%.

The youth challenges the incoming administration to prosecute the Arroyo government and her lapdogs that were responsible for the worsening education crisis.

“Noynoy Aquino will bequeath this rotten educational system perpetrated and tolerated by the previous administrations. He should make all necessary actions to ensure that education be made accessible to all,” Manlupig said. #