School of second chances
Dropout parents, OFWS, and working students find fresh start to earning college degrees
Oscar Damian Jr. defies the typical image of a student. Despite dressing for school almost daily, he never steps out of his home. Instead, he simply switches on his laptop and joins his classmates online. At 53 years old, he feels out of place returning to school as one of the oldest students at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University.
Damian dropped out of school at 18, eloping with his girlfriend, who was also his classmate. They married and eventually had four children. The responsibilities of raising a family prevented them from pursuing a college degree.
Surviving through contract work, Damian regularly sought employment every six months. “Salamat naman po sa Diyos at lagi akong nakakahanap ng trabaho,” he said.
Damian’s longest tenure was at a magazine, where he worked as an advertising sales agent. Despite being promoted to supervisor, he was later demoted when management discovered his lack of a college degree.
Before the pandemic, Damian worked as a sports coordinator at a school in Valenzuela. He aspired to teach but couldn’t due to his educational background. Discovering PUP Open University offered him a chance to enroll in a broadcast communication course, fulfilling his dream while continuing to work.
“Mahirap din po mag-adjust kasi may edad na ako. Hindi naman po ako techie. Nagpapatulong lang po ako sa mga anak ko na mag-setup ng laptop para makapag-zoom meeting,” he said.
Pioneer in Open Education
Established in 1990, the PUP Open University was the first of its kind in the country. Originally known as Pamantasang Bayan, it was conceived by the late Dr. Nemesio Prudente to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged Filipinos. Modeled after The Open University in the United Kingdom, it aimed to be inclusive of all people, places, methods, and ideas.
Dr. Carmencita Castolo, executive director of PUP Open University, recounts its evolution. The Pamantasang Bayan in the 1980s initially offered non-degree courses like secretarial and bookkeeping.
When the PUP Open University was born in 1990, it expanded its offerings to meet demands, including degree courses requested by government agencies. One such course was broadcast communication, tailored for Radio Television Malacañang employees without degrees.
“We had our first Broadcom students from Malacañang, covering presidential activities,” recalled Dr. Castolo, who has been with PUP for 45 years now and is set to retire when she turns 65 this week.
Unknown to many, PUP also pioneered distance learning for Master’s students, utilizing various modes from correspondence to online platforms to cater to teachers from the provinces wanting to earn their Master’s degrees.
“In the early days, our coordinators in our provincial branches went here every week to bring the modules of our Masters in Education students who are teaching in the provinces and working on their MA at the same time. Sobrang hirap din po noon. Buti po ngayon online na,” she said.
Adapting to change
Dr. Manuel Muhi, president of PUP, highlights the university’s proactive approach to change. Even before the pandemic, PUP Open University was already implementing “Flextel,” maximizing technology in learning. Dr. Muhi, an ASEAN engineer with a doctorate in technology, emphasizes technology's role in democratizing education.
“Education is a right, and we ensure all Filipinos, especially the poor, have the chance to study and earn a college degree,” he said, adding that all undergraduate courses are being offered for free while graduate courses have minimal tuition fees.
PUP has been consistently ranked first among the universities preferred by employers, according to employment expert Jobstreet.
And Muhi says that based on current trends, Filipinos are now more open to online learning, having experienced it already during the pandemic.
“Many of our younger students now choose the Open University because of its flexibility. They can attend classes even if they’re working. Some are even working abroad,” he said.
Dr. Muhi noted that Overseas Filipino Workers also make up a substantial number of their “transnational” students owing to the need for advance degrees. He noted that many Filipino engineers in Abu Dhabi and Qatar are already serving as “acting managers” but are not given the title and the salary that goes with it.
“They could not be promoted because of their lack of Master’s degree,” he said.
“That is why they enroll at the PUP Open University to earn their Master’s while working. Not too long ago, we held a graduation ceremony in the United Arab Emirates because we had 38 students who received their Master’s in construction management degrees,” Dr. Muhi added.
Expanding offerings
PUP Open University offers a wide range of courses through its three institutes: Institute for Open and Distance Education, Institute of Non-traditional Study Program and ETEEAP, and Institute of Continuing and Professional Development.
The Institute of Open and Distance Education provides online courses, including undergraduate, masteral, and doctoral programs. Among the courses it offers are bachelor’s degrees in public administration, broadcasting, marketing management, human resource management, entrepreneurship, office administration, and tourism management. It also offers graduate courses, namely, doctoral in business administration, education management, engineering management, public administration, and masteral degrees in construction management, business administration, communication, education management, information technology, and public administration.
The Institute of Non-traditional Study Program and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) offers courses through equivalency and accreditation, recognizing students’ prior expertise. Here, those with extensive experience in their field of expertise are given accreditation and equivalent credits, allowing them to complete their courses in a shorter time.
The Institute for Continuing Professional Development, meanwhile, offers short courses tailored for professionals’ needs in partnership with government agencies and private institutions.
Dr. Castolo revealed that the PUP Open University regularly receives requests for special courses from government agencies.
“We have had students from the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. They were supported by their agencies to finish their courses,” she said.
Dr. Castolo says the PUP Open University now has close to 10,000 active enrollees, and many more are expected as new courses are offered.
Fostering social connections
Recognizing the importance of social interaction, PUP Open University organizes special events for students and teachers.
For its 34th anniversary celebration this year, it organized sports festivals to provide opportunities for face-to-face interactions, fostering camaraderie among participants.
Oscar Damian Jr., ever the sportsman, didn't hesitate to join in, participating with his classmates in basketball and bowling.
“Ako na po yata ang pinakamatandang player dun. Mas matanda pa po ako sa mga teachers ko. Enjoy na enjoy po ako. Na-miss ko rin na maglaro sa harap ng maraming tao. Feeling ko po talaga nagbalik yung younger college days ko,” he said.