Go back to school, avail yourself of free education, Angara tells dropouts

Reelectionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Wednesday urged college dropouts to return to school and take advantage of the government’s free college education.

“It’s never too late to earn a college degree,” Angara said.

Angara offered this advice

to over 360,000 unemployed university dropouts, as well as high school graduates who did not proceed to college.

The senator said this is the best time for them to avail themselves of the benefits under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Law.

“Ngayon ang pinakamagandang pagkakataon para bumalik sa kolehiyo dahil libre na ang tuition sa mga pampublikong pamantasan at kolehiyo, (This is the best time to go back to college because tuition is free in public universities and colleges),” said Angara, one of the authors of or Republic Act 10931.

The Act, known as the Free College Law, guarantees free tuition and other miscellaneous fees for students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

He also encouraged jobless college dropouts and high school graduates to enroll since they are still eligible for free higher education in 112 SUCs across the country.

“This is their chance to complete their college degrees and create a brighter future for themselves and their families,” the lawmaker added.

For those who dropped out of college but are already working, Angara said they should still continue their studies and earn a degree.

“We’ve heard a lot of stories of college dropouts who want to finish their degree to set an example for their own children. For some, it means being able to finally apply for that promotion at work,” he stressed.

“Alam natin na mahalaga ang

makapag-aral para makapag-hanapbuhay. Mas madali ngang magkatrabaho kapag nakapagtapos (We know it’s very important to finish our studies so we can find employment. It is easier to find a job if one has a college degree),” Angara stressed.

Citing a Labor Force Survey conducted by the Labor department in 2018, Angara said there are about 2.3 million jobless Filipinos, 16 percent (roughly 368,000) of whom are college undergraduates.

Angara said he strongly believes that education is the great socioeconomic equalizer and a stepping stone to something higher, and thus, finishing college means being able to pursue employment opportunities that were unavailable without a degree.

“College education could ensure that all children of any class have a shot at success,” he said, noting that good jobs require higher education.