Saturday, March 23, 2013

Some thoughts on the STFAP and surviving the rising costs of education at UP

We were among the first batches to experience the Socialized Tuition Fee Assistance Program (STFAP) back in 1989. I was among the last batch of students to experience 40 pesos per unit tuition when I was a freshman in 1988. At the time before the implementation of STFAP, I remember that there was a lot of talk and some confusion about how the program would go considering it was a first for the state university and all sorts of documents were required to be submitted by students in order for them to be classified according to the brackets formulated for STFAP. 

At the time, Bracket 1 was the lowest bracket and entitled students classified under it with free tuition plus a monthly stipend (I forget the amount.). Bracket 9 was the highest bracket and the default for students unable to complete the requirements or not applying for STFAP. As we were compiling documents for submission, hopeful that we could qualify at least for the brackets lower than 9, my father decided not to pursue the application and just pay the tuition during my sophomore year. With STFAP in place, UP was also raising tuition to 100 pesos per unit and it still was much cheaper than the costs in other schools like Ateneo and La Salle. Unfortunately, tuition steadily increased from then at 200 pesos per unit during my 3rd year and 300 pesos per unit by my graduating year. 

I can still remember Tatay saying to me: "Hayaan mo na lang. Huwag mo na isipin yan. Problema na namin ni Mama mo yan. Basta mag-aral ka na lang mabuti." This came from a person who had struggled with poverty during his childhood days and put to school by the hard work of my Lola and his elder siblings. This came from the same man who, after getting a job and his first paycheck after college, helped his siblings finish their studies and supported many other relatives through their schooling.

Coming from a middle class family with Tatay working and Mama a housewife, my siblings and I were quite fortunate to get our education from private schools. I can only imagine the costs of putting all three of us through grade school, high school and university as we were not wealthy and depended on the fixed income of my father for sustenance. We are thankful for these gifts from our parents and definitely appreciative of their sacrifices for us. If Tatay had lost his job at a time their company was laying off workers due to the difficulties in the 1980's, I am quite sure now that he would have done whatever it took to give us a good education as well as put food on the table for our meals.

-

Forward to the present...I can only imagine the circumstances of the family of the UP Manila student who took her own life likely out of despair and depression brought about by her being forced to take a leave of absence. But I must admit that I was bothered by the way the student's father seems to be all composed in front of the camera with statements that seem to be scripted and even rehearsed. Surely this would not have been the reactions of other people in similar situations. Placing much of the blame on the school (I maintain that UP was at fault here and that such policies like the forced LOA is inconsistent with a state university's mandate and therefore immoral.) is a way of washing your hands on something he is very much a part of.

I would like to think that the parents of the student did not try their hardest even given their circumstances and resources. For one, uprooting your entire family of six to go to Manila because their eldest would be studying at UP Manila is not the best strategy. And I have seen some comments on social media asking why they had four children when they didn't have the resources to raise them, put them in school much less be able to have some savings for emergencies given that the breadwinner had work before. Also, from experience I know that there are also many other opportunities for financial assistance in UP. Were they able to explore scholarships or other types of loans including those that can be availed from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or the SSS? Meanwhile, based on copies of the suicide note, the student didn't even mention her being forced to take a leave of absence as the reason for committing suicide. Rational people can now only think about the "what ifs" or real reasons of the act.

Meanwhile, UP should definitely do some soul searching, starting with the administration, with how it should and not just intend to address the issues concerning STFAP. Definitely, more state subsidies for education will not be coming in the near future and so there should be other ways to address the concerns of students coming from the lower income families but are highly deserving of a UP education. Surely, the many who have reacted to the tragedy that is the suicide include UP alumni who have the means and/or the influence to put up funds to assist those in need and not just the ones with cum laude and above grade averages.
-

No comments: