Candlelight protest held vs closure of UPHS

CEBU, Philippines - University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College and High School students, alumni, faculty and supporters yesterday staged a rally in opposition to the proposed closure of the UP High School.

Protesters gathered at the UPVCC Oblation square to light candles which signified their burning desire to defend UPHS against moves for closure or downsizing.

The Student Council of both College and High School with support from the faculty, members of the UPHS Alumni Association and different political student organizations condemned the plan of the administration which they believe is unfair and without regard for the right of students to democratized access to education.

The Dean of the College, Enrique Avila, has allegedly been pushing to close UPHS for the past three semesters according to the council.

The closure has successfully been thwarted up to this time said Ella Marie Sarmago, incoming vice chairwoman of the College SC, but the latest plans of the school’s administration pose another threat to the existence of UPHS.

The administration, Sarmago said, has planned to streamline UPVCC programs that are either not included in the mandate of the new UP Charter or low in enrollment rate, referred as non-marketable and non-profitable.

The council said that the streamlining is directed to the high school division which fits to these descriptions.

UPHS principal Purita Baltazar confirmed the streamlining plan of the administration to maximize the meager resources of the college.

Baltazar said that the streamlining is applicable to all divisions of the college including the Professional Education division which manages the high school.

Under the streamlining, UPHS shall be downsized which would mean a decrease in the number of students that will be admitted.

UPHS currently has two sections for each level but the downsizing suggests that it will be reduced to one. The downsizing was recommended by the executive committee as an alternative to closure.

“We are confident that the high school will not be closed but if things get harder, we prefer the downsizing instead and hope that eventually, if the resources get stable, we will be able to expand again,” Baltazar said.

Baltazar said that UPHS was supposed to release the number of students that they shall admit for the academic year 2009-2010 next week. But since the administration has not yet decided the fate of the high school, it will be delayed.

The council meanwhile believes that the downsizing is just an initial step in the future closure of the high school. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)