The government should build more state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country if it wants to hone and develop more Filipino professionals for the country’s work force.
According to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., it is his dream to establish SUCs in every province in the Philippines.
At present, SUCs have only 112 main campuses in the Philippines with a total of 421 satellite campuses.
Central Luzon has 12 main SUCs; Western Visayas has 11 SUCs; Eastern Visayas has 10; nine in Bicol region, eight in the National Capital Region, five to six each in Zamboanga Peninsula, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao Region, four in Caraga and only three in Soccsksargen.
If the construction of various public colleges and universities in every corner of the country continues, it will be a big help for financially challenged parents who want excellent education for their children, but also that people living in rural areas need not migrate and add to the overcrowding of cities.
Marcos recognizes the characteristic excellence of provincial students who often land on the Top 10 in board and bar exams.
“Palibhasa, mas determinado silang makapagtapos sa pag-aaral kaya dapat talaga tuluy-tuloy ang pagpapatayo ng SUCs sa probinsiya. Tulong man iyan mula sa national o local government,” said Marcos.
At the same time, the former senator believes that the construction of various Centers for Excellence and Centers of Development should be strengthened to further enhance the skills, competence and intelligence of Filipino students.
Marcos also noted the increasing number of students enrolling on the first day of school, but are later dropping out because of financial issues.
“Nalulungkot po tayo sa report na ganyan. Iba’t iba ang dahilan kaya maraming estudyante ang nag-eenroll pero hindi nakaka-graduate. Marami riyan problema sa pera kasi mahal nga naman ang matrikula, libro, pamasahe at baon sa eskuwela. Iyong iba naman ay posibleng nawawalan ng interes sa pag-aaral. Kaya dapat maliban sa pagpapalakas sa mura at kalidad ng edukasyon ay maiparamdam sa kanila ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon, lalo na kung makikita ng bawat isa sa ating estudyante ang kanilang sariling kakayahan at kagalingan,” he added.
Marcos had earlier cited the recent P10-billion budget cut in education for 2022 as a big unwanted pushback in the country’s mission to provide quality education for all.
It was learned that from the P62.3-billion budget proposed by the Commission on Higher Education, it was cut to P52.6 billion as recommended by the Department of Budget and Management.
“How can our country progress if education remains in dire straits because the institutions in charge cannot operate well for lack of budget?” Marcos added.
He said regardless of the situation in the country, whether there is a pandemic or not, education should always be a priority not deprived of the much needed government financial support.