Binay seeks hike in subsidy for state schools

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday that the government must increase its subsidy for state colleges and universities (SCUs) “to solve the present problem in education.”

He also said the government should upgrade the equipment in SUCs similar to those in Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University to improve instruction in public schools.

For his part, United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate Jack Enrile opposed petitions of SUCs to increase tuition and other fees they would collect in the coming school year.

Enrile said that the Commission on Higher Education should turn down the petitions as students and their parents are already burdened by the present level of school fees. 

Enrile also said that colleges and universities, especially SUCs, should ensure that their graduates could immediately be employed before asking for matriculation increase.

He also asked the government and schools to undertake serious education-labor cross-matching so students can be steered to take courses that are in demand.