Getting more poor students into state universities

THE Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is well aware that admission policies in state universities and colleges (SUCs) are problematic. More children from the upper and middle classes get to enter these universities, especially the best ones like the University of the Philippines. They hurdle the entrance exams and enter universities with affordable tuition and fees because they have been prepared better in their earlier years. Privilege, then, is the name of the game.

In view of this, CHEd will recommend steps to open the door wider to students from underprivileged families. Last Monday, it unveiled a P15-million study to be done at the Don Mariano Marcos State University, Samar State University and University of Southern Mindanao. The end goal is to help the SUCs in ensuring that admissions policies will give “a fair representation of disadvantaged students in higher education.”

Each of the three universities will gather data to determine the student support services that will respond to the needs of poor students. This ensures that they stay in school and finish their studies, according to CHEd chairman, Dr. Prospero de Vera 3rd.

The latest CHEd data show that three students out of 10 drop out temporarily — or even permanently — because of financial difficulties, family problems, relocation, medical or mental health concerns, and academic hardship.

De Vera said the study intends to fix “the disproportionate” admission rates in the universities. There are 100,000 applicants for college at PUP, and only 12,000 can be accepted. He said: “I think PUP has to review its admissions policy to see who is qualifying. If they see that it disproportionately disadvantages certain sectors, the board has to discuss what needs to be done.”

Thus, the empirical evidence will be the starting point in altering the skewed admissions policy. There are 1,708 private colleges and universities nationwide and 696 state-run schools. CHEd said that for this year, there were 1,596,590 students enrolled in staterun schools like SUCs, local universities and colleges, and other government schools.

De Vera said that while the three SUCs were chosen as study sites, CHEd will also collect data from other SUCs. “These can then be put in a matrix so that if there are good things that can be done in the admission applications of SUCs, these can already be implemented to generate data in other SUCs.”

Part of the study involves documenting the existing best practices, with some SUCs already doing some innovations. The research, said De Vera, “will allow the collection of these best practices, which other SUCs can already implement while the research is going on.”

While this research is still being done, other measures can already be taken to ensure greater access to students who come from poor communities.

One of them is allowing those who did not pass the college entrance examinations to study for associate degrees, the way it is done in community colleges in the US. After two years of the associate degree, those who qualify for the regular courses will then be accepted.

Another is to provide funds for review classes for senior high school students in the public schools who will take the entrance exams at the SUCs. This is to level the playing field between them and the students who are in the better-equipped private schools.

Moreover, hybrid education, which involves a mix of face-to-face and online classes, can be encouraged. This will help students cut down on their transportation and food expenses, as they would stay home three days a week for their online classes and spend two days in school.

The government could also establish partnerships with private companies to sponsor students or provide internship opportunities that lead to employment after graduation. The Rotary Club, the Lions Club and organizations with the wherewithal should continue funding the studies of poor students, with priority to sending them to the SUCs.

Enhancing guidance counseling services at the SUCs can also help students navigate college life. Such counseling should also involve seminars, workshops and modules on emotional well-being.

The government should also invest in infrastructure and internet connectivity to ensure that students have access to their schools and get linked to online learning resources.

Students face an uphill battle in finishing their studies, but education is one sure way to lift them from the poverty that stalks the land.