The Tragedy of Not Being Able to Study Because of Financial Difficulties: The UP Manila Student Suicide Case
There can be no greater tragedy like the UP Manila Student Suicide Case where a student raring to study, learn and finish education was told to take a leave of absence for failing to settle financial obligations with the school. Although this is a scene repeated many times over in other schools and universities in the country, not all cases will be involving a student in such precarious emotional state. With allusions to family problems coming from the school authorities themselves, the requested leave of absence was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for someone who probably saw finishing education as the sole saving factor in her life.
The Student
The freshman college student of UP Manila who took her own life by drinking silver cleaner left a letter and said she was sorry for doing it. Her family was reportedly undergoing extreme financial difficulties ever since her father was laid-off from work. Reports of family rifts are not surprising since everyone who has gone through the same stress and difficulty can relate to the realities of life.
Even in such condition however, the student prevailed academically which should explain why she was accepted at UP Manila, an educational institution that even the moneyed students who can afford to enroll elsewhere would give a leg or an arm to be accepted. UP is a state university and being accepted and graduating from it is considered an honor not only for the student but for the family as well. Graduating with honors from such a prestigious university could open employment opportunities that will not be available to everyone.
The School
UP Manila, being one of the campuses of the prestigious state university University of the Philippines accepts students according to specific guidelines since its budget comes from the government. It has designated tuition brackets which categorizes students according to payment capability. It has instituted ways to help students undergoing financial difficulties primarily through loans and granting of payment extensions when requested.
The filing of the LOA or the leave of absence is a necessary step required by the school for students who fail to pay their tuition fee on time. It is said to be a way to ensure that the student can easily come back to the university if and when financial ability already permits continuance of studies. There are two existing schemes being questioned today – the “no late payment” and the “forced leave of absence” which are considered anti-student.
The Circumstances
The student was asked to file a leave of absence for failing to pay her school payable in time. She was reported to have felt so bad about having to return her ID and communicated through text to her friends and teacher the adverse effect of her forced LOA. This followed an unapproved subsequent loan application apparently because it was already mid-semester.
Under UP’s Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program, the student was required to pay an estimated P 300.00 for every unit which amounted to about P 7,500.00 per semester, being categorized under Bracket D. This amount is admittedly low compared to tuition fees in exclusive schools and universities that run to hundreds of thousands. Still, it was an amount that the student’s family found hard to produce. There were reported efforts to convert the student to Bracket E which would have granted her free education. School authorities say that the student failed to furnish them with the documentary requirements to complete the change of categorization.
My Say
What do we have here? A bright student who as her father described her as willing to go to school only eating P 20.00 worth of candies the whole day just to ensure that she will have enough to attend school every day… A school who says it has no choice but to implement its rules and regulations for the benefit of the whole school community… An educational system that does not provide realistic options even to the most gifted student…
I have no sympathies for students who waste their opportunities for my sympathies go to their parents. My heart goes out however to students who are so much willing to study but are being continually prevented by financial difficulties. I shudder at the thought that my own children will not have any chance if by some cruel twist of fate I would be unable to support their education. Many people have taken their own lives in an effort to leave a lasting message. Finding a solution to this issue will give hope to all our children and I hope the message of this UP Manila Student Suicide Case will not be lost after several days and remain unsolved.
shengkay
I heard it in the news..it was sad…specially for the family…kahit na gaano katalino ang batang ito..kulang sya sa talino when it comes to life..sana naisip nya na hindi kasagutan yung gagawin nya sa problema…anyway, its done..RIP and for the family i know its hard. my condolence.
Teresa Martinez
Emotional maturity in a 16-year old is quite rare so I am inclined to believe that she encountered an obstacle that she considered she cannot go through. That is why it is very important for parents and other sources of guidance to be extra sensitive to what is going on with their children so this kind of tragedy can hopefully be prevented.
MC
This is on TV everyday. And just like the 2012 Bar Exam topnotcher in an interview, it is not the fault of the UP nor the victim’s family. It’s the society’s fault.. The society is too judgmental which probably have lead her to end her own life. It’s sad! 🙁
But I hope the other students who are facing the same problem that she had, will not do the same thing. Instead, make it their motivation to work harder for their future.
Jhoveleen
So sad to think of this scenario. I hope the government will do some actions towards this issue.
Teresa Martinez
The no late payment policy has been lifted, SSS is offering educational loans and I believe one other government agency. Long-term solutions though are needed here.
Jan Christian
I just hope our UP and our Government will be awaken with this tragic death of this young student.
Teresa Martinez
As of the other day, the “no late payment” policy has been lifted. So we wait for the long-term solution.
cheerful
she’s so young, i feel sorry for the family and sad that things like this have to happened. i hope she stayed strong though or thought of getting a part time job to support her education while studying or getting a scholarship from private firm such as sm, ayala or jaka, i think she will get a spot there for she is in UP already, she will not be there for nothing after all. or even study now pay later scheme.
Teresa Martinez
It is really difficult to say the breaking point of each one us so the guidance of parents and support of the people around us is quite important. Spiritual guidance helps in trying times like this. Yes, there are other options which her young mind may not have considered.
kulasa
The mother in me has tears falling from my eyes half way through this article. It saddens me too that education could be so difficult to own for those who can not pay. I could only pray this never happens again and in my own little ways do my best to help this country prosper so it could make education truly free for the needy. God bless your heart that has the capacity to love beyond measure 🙂
Teresa Martinez
This is especially painful because of the existence of extremes in our country when some families can all have the choices while some have none.
Anna
I am not for anyone here, nor am I siding with UP, but when I looked at the news yesterday where it featured the student’s house and her parents as well, it made me realize that as parents it is our duty to give education to our kids, depending on our capacity, the child shouldn’t have carried all the burden on her back, but reinforced/shared the responsibilities/pressure to her parents. All the blame shouldnt be put on the govt/school admin as it only can do so much, of course they have flaws too but we shouldnt depend everything from them coz this has been a perennial problem already. There must always be a support system within the family, and start from there. Her parents looked decent and educated, I guess it’s a matter of focus and willpower on the side of the parents/family which is lacking.
Teresa Martinez
Whatever transpired within the home and the family in their efforts with regards to the student’s education, they alone can answer. It is part of every parent’s responsibility to provide for their children’s education in the same manner as it is part of the government’s responsibility to provide assistance when sought by a citizen especially in the matter of education.
Rovie
This really a sad news. I have oftentimes experienced not being able to pay my tuition on time way back in college and as a student it is really. depressing and demotivating but I just focused on my goal of finishing college for I know great things are waiting for me.
I just hope that the government can make the necessary changes on the education system. I also wish every family is sensitive enough to show their support to their children. They may lack the finances but the love and attention may have be of great help.
Teresa Martinez
What I hope to see out of this is not a only a society that reacts to a sensational case but a society that works together to find real solutions. It cannot be denied that there are many possible sources for funding especially in such a noble endeavor as education.
Lainybelle
I feel for the student’s family especially her parents. She could have been the family’s only hope to eventually rise up from poverty. It’s sad that someone had to die before the government can look into the matter closely.
Something must be terribly wrong in the Philippine educational system. I do hope they can find a scheme where a student can be allowed to go to the university without paying a single cent but afterwards one must be required to serve the University for a specified number of years. But I believe this scheme would only mean more budget allocation by the state to the university.I do hope that they could come up with a realistic, doable, pro-student scheme soon.
Teresa Martinez
Always, things as complicated as this point to the system as a culprit which sadly is true. There are so many people in the country who can provide assistance to others, not to mention the government who have the power of allocating funds where they should go. Nothing is easy but the country must decide on our priorities.
Rcel Remoroza Duarte
I have to reply to Lainy’s comments here. Indeed, something is so WRONG in the Philippine education system. When I migrated here in the US and have seen how education works, I realized how wrong the Phil. education system us. How I wish that it will be changed soon. The government should allot an education funding where students who couldn’t pay to go to school is able to apply for a loan, scholarship, and grant in an easy way. That’s how it works here in the US; thus, students here are able to pursue a degree.
Teresa Martinez
Yes, I hope that can be done as well here in our country. The important thing is to give opportunity to those who are really determined to work for it.
Dhemz
oh,my! such a tragic incident. I never heard of this news. Thanks for sharing!
Algene
I was really saddened upon hearing the news. I know there is something wrong with UP Manila’s system. Pero we also have to look at other factors which lead “her” to commit suicide. Wasn’t she thinking of her family? Wasn’t she considering the fact that her parents are working hard for her. Tapos, ganun lang, she committed suicide? Really sad.
Teresa Martinez
The effect on family is the other side of the tragedy here.
papaleng (@papaleng)
I too was saddened to hear about this UP student’s suicide case. My heart bleeds for the parents. If only, Kristell keep her faith, her tragic death may not happened. Nevertheless, a review of the state university policies regarding tuition brackets MUST be reviewed.
Teresa Martinez
The possibility that she may not be able to return to school may have killed all her hopes. Parents and school authorities should always be on the lookout for danger signals in children who are undergoing much stress in their young lives.
Chubskulit Rose
That’s a very sad tragedy not only for the school but especially for the family of the student who committed the suicide. The government should offer some grants or loans where students can pay their tuition dues at a later date when they are working already. It’s a hard situation. I worked in school before coming here and we often get a lot of promissory notes from students. We never had a case like this though.
Teresa Martinez
I hope an arrangement like that can be worked out since there is more possibility of repayment when a student is able to graduate and then gets gainfully employed after.
riz
this is really saddening. i actually phoned my daughter asking if she has heard the news. she told me that instances like this (the LOA because of no-payment of tuition) is not a rare case. some of her batchmates have stopped schooling(while others have transferred to other university) until they can find ways to pay out their balances.
this is a very sensitive issue right now, i guess, what the gov’t should do is to revise the application on their STFAP (however in my opinion, the requirements are doable) and yes, increase the budget of state universities.
Teresa Martinez
An increase in the budget of state universities to benefit students who are really hard-up on finances is a start. I was just wondering if there is any existing program that would allow qualified students to study for free who will be in turn required to pay it forward by supporting another indigent student when the times comes that he or she is gainfully employed and earning more than enough for her and her family’s basic needs. This then spreads the responsibility of providing assistance to needy students. But then, I must be thinking of a time when conditions are ideal…
betchai
this is very sad, I know the UP education system is only implementing their school policies about tuition and at the same time allowing student to return once they are capable to paying the tuition, hopefully this should serve as an eye opener that would be looked into, such as providing counseling during these touch times especially if they showed some signs of being bothered.
Teresa Martinez
This is very sad indeed especially when we think of the fact that there are possible sources which could have solved her tuition fee problem and given her family more time to find the payment required. A 16-year old girl could have benefited from counseling although it isn’t clear if this was provided by the school.