Student leaders from state colleges and universities all over the country greeted with jubilation President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s order to defer tuition fee increases this school year.
The student leaders and their colleagues, trooped to Malacanang to convey their gratitude to the President for thwarting a new round of tuition fee hikes.
In a manifesto submitted to the Palace, the student leaders said the President’s action demonstrated the high priority and support the government is giving to education and the youth sector.
The student leaders said reports of tuition fee increases had aroused serious concern among students who feared that they could not continue their studies if school charges were raised anew.
They said the President’s directive came as a great relief, especially to poor students and their parents who are having a hard time coping with the high cost of oil and food.
In a command conference with education officials, the President directed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to defer any tuition increases for SUCs for school year 2008-2009 to help parents and students cope with the rise in oil and food prices worldwide. (PIA/Bohol)
