Abstract:
An evaluative study into the recent implementation of the Tuition and Other Fees
Increase and the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance program in the University of
the Philippines and its effect on the University’s duty as a State University has been
performed through a freshmen survey, interviews and analysis of various secondary
sources. The study focuses primarily on the capacity of UP to fulfill its duty of providing
democratized access, i.e. accessible yet quality education, to the Filipino youth. In line
with this, the data has shown a decrease in the freshmen enrollment turn-out for the
Academic Year 2007-2008, upon the implementation of the TOFI and the STFAP Rebracketing.
Because of the 300% increase in tuition and miscellaneous fees, majority of
students whose family’s annual income is PhP80,000 to PhP130,000 have shrugged off
the option in having a State University education. The research has shown that students
whose family income falls in this income bracket experience the major effects of the said measures. Freshmen Enrollment Turn-Out in the University of the Philippines- Manila which is the selected locale of the study has also dropped, the College of Dentistry as
having the largest percentage drop. Behind the implementation of the TOFI and the
STFAP Re-bracketing is the problem of insufficient state subsidy. The state, which is
obliged to allocate funds for education, especially for the State Universities and Colleges,
has failed to do so. UP has resorted to the implementation of these schemes despite the
numerous income-generating alternative measures.
The implemented programs are then deemed as inefficient and have hindered the
University of the Philippines from complying to its duty as a State University.
