Call to Amend Free Higher Education Law to Curb Dropout Rates
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers emphasize the urgent need to amend the Free Higher Education Law to ensure more students graduate and to reduce the high dropout rates troubling state universities and colleges. Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez stressed the importance of strengthening this landmark policy after recent data revealed alarming student attrition.
According to local education advocates, nearly four in ten college students leave their studies before obtaining a degree. This troubling statistic underscores the necessity to revisit the Free Higher Education Law’s implementation and address the challenges students face beyond tuition fees.
Alarming Dropout Statistics Highlight Regional Disparities
Romualdez pointed out that while the Free Higher Education Law was a significant achievement, it remains insufficient to guarantee student success. He noted that the dropout rate during the 2023-2024 school year nationally stands at 39 percent, with some regions experiencing even higher rates. Central Visayas leads with 60.7 percent, followed by the Zamboanga Peninsula at 59.5 percent, Cordillera at 54.9 percent, Metro Manila at 52.4 percent, Soccsksargen at 51.2 percent, and Western Visayas at 50.2 percent.
Most concerning is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where dropout rates skyrocket to 93.4 percent. These figures represent more than just numbers—they reflect broken ambitions and disrupted futures caused by students’ inability to afford essentials like transportation, food, housing, books, and internet access.
Addressing Barriers Beyond Tuition
“These are not just statistics. They are shattered dreams and interrupted futures, often because students cannot afford transportation, food, rent, books or internet,” Romualdez said. The law must evolve to provide not only free tuition but also the support systems that help students stay in school and complete their degrees.
Romualdez expressed his support for a resolution filed by Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon. House Resolution No. 61 calls for a comprehensive review of the Free Higher Education Law’s implementation and long-term funding sustainability. Ridon, the original proponent of the law, reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and expanding this vital program.
Ensuring Sustainability for Free Higher Education
Ridon emphasized that free college education is now a reality that must be preserved through continuous legislative and budgetary efforts. “The people have spoken, and Congress must listen. Education is not an expense to be trimmed. It is a long-term investment in our human capital, our democracy, and our national development,” he said.
Romualdez concurred, stating that the Free Higher Education Law cannot fulfill its mission if students are forced to drop out. He urged policymakers to urgently address this gap, ensuring that free education leads to graduation and helps lift students out of poverty.
“The Free Higher Education Law has changed millions of lives. But transformation is not complete when so many students are forced to drop out. Our mission is not just to provide access, but to ensure completion,” Romualdez added.
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