Government-subsidized Education

Being the premiere University in the country that offers low tuition fee, most would be enticed to study in UP.I've always wanted to study in UP. Unfortunately, I didn't pass the UPCAT. That's why I decided (and made sure) to take my Graduate studies in UP (Aside from the fact that only UP, PUP, and Ateneo offer M.A. Communication Research, if I'm not mistaken).

College of Mass Communication is among the colleges in UP that offers lowest tuition fee (2nd to College of Education). Graduate Students pay 600 pesos per unit plus miscellaneous fees that range from 1,500-2000. Who wouldn't be enticed to enroll? Quality and affordable education rolled in one.

Even if we're under the graduate school of the University, our tuition fees are still subsidized by the government (Public University). That's why tuition fees are cheaper.

However, according to the college's administrators, they've been spending beyond the budget allocated for them. The excess accounts only for regular expenses like electricity. Thus, they find that needs for improvement in the college could not be achieved (e.g. more computer labs, projector and laptops available for presentation -- for graduate students).

The College had a consultation of their proposal to increase the tuition fee for the Graduate Students. They compared the tuition that MassCom Graduate Students pay from that of the MBA and MPA Students. What we pay is almost 1/2 and 1/3 of their tuition fees.

From 600 pesos per unit, the college finds it prudent to increase the tuition to at least 1,500 (similar to MPA according to them). It is understandable that the students would have negative initial reaction of the proposal. Although we're working professionals, we would still prefer to go to a school that offers cheaper quality education. It’s still hard to pay for tuition.

Yet, looking at a different perspective, the tuition fee increase is justifiable. However, maybe there are other strategies that the University may adopt in order to have financial sources other than that of the government subsidy.

I'm not sure if it's possible to have the same scheme as what's implemented in the undergraduate -- bracketing (this was raised by one of the participants). The student will be charged dependinig on how much he/she earns. I guess it's also possible to increase the tuition and just provide schoraship to qualified people.

Honestly, I must admit that somehow the government's subsidy for "some" (maybe including me) graduate students may not be that helpful to the development of the country. Like for example, there are some graduate students who aren't able to finish their degree. And, while somem are able to complete their degree, most aren't working for the government.

Maybe there should be perks for graduate students working for the government while students from private institutions should pay the normal rate. At least, the government directly benefits from the subsidy they provide to their workers. But, such set-up will be helpful if there's contract agreement between the government and the employee.

I guess, choosing only who will benefit from government subsidy for graduate studies will help improve the facilities that can be able for the undergraduate students.

These are just sketchy ideas that I'm striving to organize.