by Venus G. Villanueva
Kalibo, Aklan (27 May) — The only state university in the province, Aklan State University (ASU), is not increasing its tuition fees this school year.
This was announced by high-ranking officials of the university, who revealed that the school had its tuition fee increase in 2005 yet.
The state university, with its main campus in Banga, has other campuses located in Kalibo, Ibajay, New Washington and Makato, specializing in various courses.
Dr. Edilberto Solidum, ASU Main Campus Director of Students Affairs said enrolment at different university campuses is ongoing on a staggered basis, but the university is contemplating to conduct walk-in examinations, noting that a big number of incoming freshmen students have shown interest in enrolling in the state school.
“Courses most favored by incoming students to take this year appear to be related to computer science, like Information Management, Information Technology; and Nursing and Home Technology”, Dr. Solidum revealed.
Despite this, Dr. Solidum revealed that enrollment in agriculture courses in the university is still high as compared with those in other state-run agricultural schools. The government recently called on state universities to help in food production and avert hunger by devoting their vacant lots to rice and other agricultural crops.
Dr. Solidum also said many students are interested to take up nursing course at ASU because tuition fees are almost a half less than those charged by private schools.
“We cannot accommodate them all, however, as the university’s facilities, classrooms and teachers are currently not enough”, Dr. Solidum said.
Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to freeze all tuition fee increases in the 110 state-run colleges and universities nationwide to help students and parents cope with the global rise in oil and food prices
The President issued her directive at the start of the command conference with education officials and Oplan Balik Eskkwela partners May 26 at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City.
She also appealed to private colleges and universities to consider and freeze plans to hike tuition and other school charges, in the meantime.
The President said the freeze on tuition fees would greatly help ease the financial burden of students and their parents. At present, parents are spending an average of P450 per unit, or about P10,000 per school year for their children taking a 21-unit load in college.
The Chief Executive said shelving tuition fee increases in SUCs and private institutions of learning would also help reduce the college dropout rate and set off an environment conducive to quality tertiary education for all. (PIA)
