Hidden Costs in Education Block Poor Students
Despite free tuition in basic education, many students drop out due to the hidden costs of studying. Expenses such as transportation, uniforms, school supplies, and project fees create an insurmountable barrier for the poor, local leaders noted. These seemingly minor costs add up and push students out of school.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano introduced the “Makakapagtapos Ako Act of 2025” to address these challenges. His bill aims to cover not only tuition but also other education-related expenses to support students from public kindergarten through graduate school.
Expanding Support Beyond Tuition Fees
The proposed legislation complements the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act by providing assistance to learners in technical-vocational programs and the Alternative Learning System. “Our growth through education and lifelong learning is a fundamental right, not a mere privilege,” the senator emphasized in his bill’s explanatory note.
Cayetano highlighted that access to quality education often depends on socio-economic status rather than ability or determination, leaving many Filipinos behind. According to reports cited by the senator, the national dropout rate in tertiary education reached 39 percent in 2025, while education subsidies for the poorest students declined sharply from 74.24 percent in 2018 to 30.74 percent in 2022.
Providing Essential School Supplies and Financial Aid
To lighten the burden on deserving but poor students, the bill mandates free school supplies, uniforms, and learning materials for all public basic education students at the start of each school year. Additionally, local governments must establish educational assistance programs for college students, offering financial aid to residents enrolled in public or private institutions.
Priority will be given to marginalized and disadvantaged students, those enrolled in priority courses, and academically excelling learners. The bill also extends support to students preparing for licensure exams, graduate studies, and technical-vocational education.
Targeted Aid for Vulnerable Groups
Special attention is set for learners with disabilities, indigenous peoples, solo-parent households, and other disadvantaged sectors. Recognizing that financial aid alone is insufficient, the bill proposes an annual P25 billion budget over ten years to upgrade infrastructure, improve facilities, and build student dormitories in all state universities and colleges.
“By investing in the physical capacity of our public institutions, we complete the support system,” the senator explained.
Learning from Local Success Stories
The bill draws inspiration from the student support system in Taguig City, led by Mayor Lani Cayetano. There, college students receive annual grants ranging from P15,000 to P50,000, while all public school students enjoy free uniforms, school supplies, and zero miscellaneous fees.
Furthermore, public elementary graduates enrolling in private high schools receive tuition subsidies and allowances, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to educational support.
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