Photo by JC Sibayan

The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in Philippine Normal University (STAND PNU) made another historical step forward as it conducted its First National Convention last May 10-12, 2012 at the PNU Cafe, Manila. The said national convention establishes a STAND PNU System and a National Executive Board (NEB) to further strengthen the unity among PNU’s campuses for the advance of students’ democratic rights and welfare. In attendance were student leaders from the five campuses of PNU: Agusan, Isabela, Manila, Negros and Quezon.

The delegates were treated to a host of educational discussions, situationers and leadership and skills training. Speakers hailed from STAND PNU alumni members, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and ACT Teachers Partylist. Topics discussed include Teachers’ Situationer, Administering Effective Campaigns, Popular and Transformative Culture, History of the Office of the PNU Student Regent, Table Battles and Negotiations, Education Situationer, Public Speaking and Propaganda 101, and New Media and Digital, among others.

Photo by STAND PNU

The first national convention of STAND PNU System elected the following officers to sit as the system-wide alliance’s NEB:

National President – Michael Angelo Esposo (Manila)
Executive Vice President – Lousel Lee Cuizon (Agusan)
Vice President for Luzon – Jonathan Basanta Garcia (Quezon)
Vice President for Visayas – Aireen Jane Lamadora (Negros)
Vice President for Mindanao – Jessan Lindog (Agusan)
Executive Treasurer – Robenjames Marayag (Isabela)
Executive Secretary-General – Arsadon Bong Vera (Manila)
Committee Head on Campaigns – Reginald Kira Pradanos (Manila)
Committee Head on Publicity – Kevin Hope Salvaña (Agusan)
Committee Head on Education – Algel Balantac (Manila)
Committee Head on Finance – Federico de Jesus Jr. (Isabela)

The convention also supported NUSP’s unity statement against the intensifying commercialization of education. STAND PNU is an affiliate of the NUSP.

The National Union of the Philippines (NUSP) called for a moratorium on tuition and other school fees increases for 2012 during the May 9, 2012 hearing set by the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives. Ms. Isabelle Therese M. Baguisi, Secretary General of NUSP, underscored the need for a moratorium due to irregularities in the application by schools and the subsequent approval of proposed fees without due consultation with the students.

Baguisi also said that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has been found wanting as regards “scientifically processing” the said applications. “CHED doesn’t even have a benchmark as to the reasonable rate of return of investments that a private school should be allowed to have,” added Baguisi.

Representatives from CHED were also asked by Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Teddy Casino if there are applications for tuition increase that were disapproved by CHED for the incoming academic or school year. After much hesitation and skewing, CHED finally said that there were no disapproved applications. This brought to the table Rep. Casino’s observation that for the past years, no disapproval of tuition increase applications were meted out by CHED. Casino said that CHED has to have more teeth in carefully scrutinizing tuition increase applications.

For example, reports sent by NUSP and Kabataan Partylist reveal that necessary student consultations for tuition and other fees increases are not aptly conducted by majority of the schools. “Instead of genuinely consulting the students, and to some degree the parents of the students, these schools merely disseminate information that they would be implementing tuition and miscellaneous fees increases,” Baguisi said.

Baguisi also remarked that education in the country “has boiled down to the logic of profit. These school owners and administrators have to realize that they are no different from the government that distances quality education from the youth and student populace.”

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) expresses its strong objection to the continuing school fee increases and the apparent light-handed approach the government has taken with regard to the issue.  The fee increases in both private and public schools have evolved from being prohibitive in nature to being actual deterrents for millions of Filipino youth who wish to have access to quality education.

The deregulation of tuition in private schools and the continued budget cuts in state universities and colleges (SUCs) have made tuition and miscellaneous fees skyrocket. In the past ten years (from 2001 – 2011), we have observed the following:

• SUCs have had their state subsidies go down from 87.74% to 66.31% causing a spike in tuition rates and miscellaneous fees in SUCs;
• The average tuition of private schools in the NCR has doubled from P 9, 231 per semester to P 20, 591 per semester while the national average has gone up from P 5, 406 to P10, 526;
• Exorbitant, unjust, and redundant fees have abounded. Examples are athletic fees with additional sports fees, installment fees, power charge fees, internet fees, etc;
• In the past six years, the top five highest earning private schools raked in P 3.45 billion in net income;
• Seventy-three percent (73% ) of students are forced to drop out due to the high cost of education  according to a 2008 UNESCO study;
• For 2011, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) says that only two out of ten (2 out of 10) high school students will be able to go to college.

Clearly, the increasing costs of education have denied the youth access to knowledge that would significantly improve the quality of their lives. But the national implication of this is even more troubling as the National Statistical Coordination Board has recently pointed out that the low growth in the percentage (only 2.9%) of college graduates in the last decade is undermining the country’s “knowledge base” and development of human capital.

Year in and year out, the NUSP has campaigned for better ways and means of tuition regulation and an end to profiteering schemes in schools. However, with the clear detrimental effects of school fee increases amidst the worsening economic status of Filipinos, the NUSP is now pushing for a tuition moratorium alongside its call for better tuition regulation and higher state subsidy for education.  Thus, we also give our support to the Kabataan Partylist’s following House Bills:

• House Bill 1962,  which moves for automatic appropriation of  6% of the GDP to education,
• House Bill 3708,  which pushes for tuition increase moratorium,
• and House Bill 4286, which pushes for tuition regulation.

We ask that the Congress takes these bills up and pass them for the sake of the youth and the future generations.

Finally, we also push for the repeal of Batas Pambansa No. 32, also known as the Education Act of 1982, upon which the idea of deregulation of schools (including tuition, miscellaneous fees, and even the curriculum) is founded. The Education Act of 1982 provides the guidelines governing the collection and application of tuition and other school fees by all educational institutions. Particularly, Section 42 of the said act allows private schools to determine tuition rates.

It is in this light and logic that the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) initiated “Dap-ayan: Summer Assembly of Student Councils” last May 4, 2012. According to Ms. Isabelle Therese M. Baguisi, NUSP’s Secretary General, “Dap-ayan brought together student councils from state universities and colleges and private schools to share their local education situation. Student leaders who attended Dap-ayan saw that a school or a university, private or state-owned, belongs to a larger education community.”

Held at the Gabriela Silang Student Center, College of Engineering, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Manila, the Dap-ayan assembled student councils and formations from Arellano University, Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) Manila, De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU), De La Salle College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University – Taft, Philippine Normal University (PNU) – Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – Manila, Quezon City Polytechnic University (QCPU), University of the East – Caloocan and University of the Philippines – Manila.

Baguisi oriented the student councils present about the history, principles and campaigns of the union. Mr. Einstein Recedes, former National President of NUSP, discussed the state of Philippine Education. Those who were present were given a view of how the government has abandoned its responsibility to provide free, accessible and quality education for all, and of how education has been transformed into a big business pool.

According to Recedes, “We share with each other the lamentable state of our schools not to be sad about it, but to learn from each other’s experiences and to learn how to solve these problems.” Issues brought to the fore by the student councils and governments include tuition and other fees increases (TOFI), the “no permit, no exam” policy, campus repression, intervention of the school administration, disrespect of student council autonomy, among others.

The said assembly also elected an Ad Hoc Committee for NUSP’s National Capital Region Chapter:

Chairperson: Ms. Neen Sapalo (UP Manila)

Vice-Chairperson: Mr. Robert Gatbonton (DLSAU)

Secretary General: Brian Santos (QCPU)

Membership Committee Head: Sol Ines (UP Manila)

Education Committee Head: Bong Vera (PNU Manila)

Campaign Committee Head: Charley Urquiza (PUP Manila)

Student councils in attendance were invited to two events on May 9: a congressional hearing on TOFI, 9am at Mitra Hall, House of Representatives, and an education alliance planning, 2pm at the NEDA Building in UP Manila.

The student union denounced Aquino administration and CHED connivance with capitalist educators to protect super profits over the interests of parents and students.

This year, around 256 higher education institutions (HEIs) applied to increase tuition rates by an average of 10 percent or P41.52 per unit, with 222 HEIs easily slipped the commission’s imaginative regulations and got CHED’s approval.

According to CHED chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan HEIs are under pressure to increase tuition fees because of increasing costs at a difficult time.

“We are furious on how President Aquino and CHED affectionately understand yearly needs of private HEIs to hike tuition, due to increasing costs but fail to see or hear parents and students difficulties.” said NUSP national president Rainier Sindayen

He added that a tuition moratorium must be imposed now or drop-out rates may soar to a record high of 85%.  Based on data gathered by NUSP, 8 out of ten high school graduates failed to enter college last school year, with high tuition cost as the major culprit.

“It’s about time private schools refrain leeching super profits and should stop passing the burden of rising costs to parents and students. “ Sindayen said

“We demand to the Aquino government to heed people’s demands for accessible and quality education. Logic dictates that a school, earning as high as P1 billion annually is more able to shoulder rising costs than our parents with annual average wage income of P102 thousand.” the student leader reiterated

Also, the NUSP expressed its anger over President Aquino’s deliberate inaction to freeze the swelling of prices of basic commodities and services and the latter’s adamant stand to deny the workers significant salary and wage increase.

The student union gears up for a series of mass actions for summer to the opening of classes, and will continue not until the president and his minions put a halt on tuition and price hikes.

TO:

STUDENT OFFICERS/EDITORS/REGENT/TRUSTEE/MEMBERS                                                         OFFICE OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL/GOV’T./ STUDENT REGENT/TRUSTEE/PUBLICATION/ORGANIZATIONS

Dear  fellow Student Leaders:
Warmest Greetings of Solidarity from the Union!

The NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUSP) is the nationwide alliance of more than 650 student councils/governments/federations/ unions committed to the advancement of students’ democratic rights and welfare. Since its establishment in 1957, the NUSP has been steadfast in its decisive involvement in students’ struggles for their rights, while also working in solidarity with the Filipino people in the struggle for social justice and meaningful changes in society. As such, the Union has earned the recognition of being the premier national student center in the country.

In line with this, we would like to invite your student council/publication/organization to the  DAP-AYAN: Summer Student Council Assembly 2012 on May 4, 2012 at the College of Engineering Student Center, PUP Sta. Mesa, 1-7pm. 

For further queries, you may contact us at 09269376161 or the undersigned. You may also email us at nusp_national@yahoo.com or visit our website at nusp.org or follow us on twitter: @nusphilippines.
We look forward to seeing you at the congress! Thank you.

In the service of the students and the people,

ISABELLE THERESE BAGUISI
Secretary General – NUSP
09156293896

 *Dap-ayan – from Kankaney dialect meaning place of convergence

SUMMER TAKE OVER 2012! is the National Union of the Philippines (NUSP) summer community service and immersion program of the NUSP Edgar Jopson Education andTrainingCenter for Student Leaders. This summer program comprises of different activities wherein student and youth leaders take part in giving back service to the Filipino people.

NUSP conducts immersions to peasant communities, workers, urban poor and indigenous people to learn from them and be knowledgeable of their situation. We also provide service learning, health and dental missions to these communities.

SUMMER TAKE OVER 2012 is open to all student council/government and organizations from schools and communities in Metro Manila, members or non-members of NUSP. It is composed of two categories; the general exposure program, training and service-oriented activities. Those who will enlist may choose from different programs.

ACTIVITIES:

(1)  General exposure program

    ROUND TRIP: A Day in the Life of a Jeepney Driver

Students will spend a day as a “conductor” in a passenger jeepney. The student will accompany a driver as he plies his route, collecting fares and giving out change as necessary. The students are expected to live on the same budget as the jeepney driver and to live as simply as possible for this day. The students are also expected to interview their driver buddies as comprehensively as possible.

BACK TO BASICS: Integration with Peasant Communities

Student councils and organizations along with NUSP will conduct a 2-day community immersion with the peasant communities in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac on April 29-May1, 2010. Activities to be conducted are: 1) discussion of the community’s situation 2) participation in the production work 3) solidarity night with the peasant.

 (2) Training and Service Oriented Program

 Trainings

 PALIHAN: Leadership and Skills Training

 The NUSP will conduct leadership training seminars for youth leaders from Sangguniang Kabataan and other youth organizations within the community. This training-seminar involves training on public speaking, parliamentary procedure and lobbying and alliance work

 ART REALM: Cultural Arts Workshops

 The NUSP with partner organizations provides workshops on poetry writing, theatre and visual arts to the youth in the communities. It also includes singing, rap battle and basic guitar workshops.

Services

 MEDICAL and DENTAL MISSION

 The Union aims to provide free check up on eyes, blood sugar, blood pressure, blood typing and medical and dental check up with free medicines.

Project Holders:

 Project Head:

SHERYL C. ALAPAD –PolytechnicUniversity of thePhilippines

NUSP Deputy Secretary General

+63926 9376161

osr1011@gmail.com

NERIZA AILEEN A. ISIP – TrinityUniversity ofAsia

NUSP – NCR Coordinator

+63916 8285542

nusp.ncr@gmail.com

According to NUSP secretary-general, Isabelle Baguisi, ”After the surge of excitement of graduation, fresh graduates are too quickly greeted by the pressures of finding good employment. More often than not, graduates are unable to find work that matches their skills and they are forced to go for work that does not engage their education. ”

The student group says that the government’s push towards the services and the BPO sectors are not really helping in creating stable, healthy jobs for young Filipinos.

Baguisi says that “the government has openly pushed fresh graduates to try out call-centers ‘first’, despite knowing that work in the BPO industry is unstable. This particular industry, anchored on the flow of foreign business and foreign markets can quickly disappear, depending on the needs of the companies and on where labor is cheaper.”

“The push towards BPOs is also alarming since this reveals the government’s own lack of plans in developing local industries where young Filipinos can offer their abilities and know-how. Fresh graduates want to work for the country, if only the government would recognize this and help us in developing the country’s economy.”

Students face new and increased school fees as state universities and colleges (SUCs) and private schools are set to impose another round of tuition and miscellaneous fee increases for the next academic year. The increases come in the middle of continued price increases in oil, power and basic necessities while no significant salary and wage hikes were granted.

Two of the most accessible state universities in the country are set to increase their fees.  The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is set to increase its miscellaneous fees by 100%, going to Php 1000 from the current rate of Php 500. The Mindanao State University (MSU), Marawi campus, will also see its tuition rates go up by 1400%. Students in MSU, currently paying Php 85 per semester, will now have to pay Php 50 per unit.

Meanwhile, all 12 state universities and colleges in the Cordilleras are set to increase their tuition rates by 300%.

Aside from SUCs, at least 300 private higher education institutions will impose tuition hikes upon the start of enrollment.

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) cites these increases as the direct effect of the continued budget cuts that the government has been implementing.  NUSP Secretary-General Isabelle Baguisi says that “the NUSP has been proven right in its previous warnings of tuition and other fee increases due to government budget cuts. This Aquino government is bent on creating a life of hardship for the youth, it seems.”

“The Aquino government and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) seem to have a new school policy: No money, no entry. And under this policy, the poor have their right to education totally removed”, says Baguisi.

Based on NUSP Tuition Monitor, the national average tuition rate has gone up to 108.35% since 2001. From the average of P257.41 per unit in A.Y. 2001-2002, the average tuition rate almost doubled to P536.31 for A.Y. 2011-2012. On the other hand, in the National Capital Region, wherein most schools are located, the average tuition rate increased by 102%, from P439.59 to 1,078.60 in 2011.

Baguisi says that if tuition hikes push through the National average and NCR average tuition rate per unit are expected to increase to P589.94 and P1,186.46, respectively.

She added that the rise in tuition rates is further proof that the Aquino regime and CHED are truly insensitive and uncaring of the people.  She continues, “Will the President tell us that he is again “powerless” to protect students just as he is powerless to protect citizens from oil price hikes and power crises? He should not dare do so because it is in the President’s power to implement a moratorium on TOFI; it’s been done before.”

“Back to school protests are geared up and will continue not until Pres. Aquino and CHED impose a moratorium on Tuition and Other Fee Increases for the incoming school year.” she added