CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The government’s move to reach all learners and achieving universal basic education has encouraged more students to get a college degree, an official said.
Rhodora Gallares, provincial senior high coordinator at the Department of Education (DepEd), said senior high school students are more driven to proceed to tertiary level because of the free tuition policy in state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as local universities and colleges (LUCs) and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs).
Gallares cited a study among Grade 12 students who responded to an online survey initiated by DepEd, which shows that at least 85 percent of the respondents said they will enroll in college this June.
Conducted online, the DepEd survey asked students to respond to three choices: to go to college, to take a job or do business, or to proceed to technical-vocational education.
The respondents are from the 4,513 graduating senior high students in Misamis Oriental.
Of the number, 52 percent are currently enrolled in the academic track while the remaining half is enrolled in the TVL track, which stands for technical, vocational and livelihood.
Interestingly, Gallares said even those who are enrolled in the TVL track under the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) — and who are national certificate holders — also showed high interest to proceed to college.
“Even though they already have NC II qualifications, and are therefore fit for employment, they still want to pursue a college degree nonetheless,” she said.
Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 10931 or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act”, granting free tuition and other fees for students in state learning institutions.
There are 49 public and 14 private high schools in Misamis Oriental offering Grades 11 to 12. The number will increase to 65 once two more public high schools in the province will offer senior high tracks next semester, one in Jasaan and another in Magsaysay. (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)
