CHED tells studes to be resourceful

CEBU, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education believes that students who intend to pursue a tertiary education but whose families are financially constrained to send them to college can still do so if they are only resourceful in looking for means to cope with the current financial crisis.

CHED said several alternatives are still available, like enrolling at a short term course with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Graduating from this course would serve as a passport for employment because graduates would earn a National Certificate II, which is reportedly recognized abroad.

They can also choose to enroll in culinary, cosmetology, dressmaking, and welding.

TESDA also conducts call center training after President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo directed the authority to allocate P350 million for call center agent training.

Further, skilled welders were one of the most in demand job worldwide.

Aside from these short courses, CHED also recommended for students to apply for scholarship grants, as there are now numerous colleges and universities that offer financial assistance especially to students whose families are financially-challenged.

Likewise, CHED said that several institutions also offer the so-called “study now, pay later” program. CHED itself offers the same program and provides a maximum of P7,500 that the student can pay after graduation with an interest of six percent per annum.

Aside from the school scholarships, CHED said students may also apply for congressional scholarships or those sponsored by congressmen, private scholarships granted by the private sector, and commercial scholarships that are given by commercial establishments like Jollibee and Chow King.

Furthermore, CHED said that students can also engage in entrepreneurial endeavors such as buy and sell or dealing products.

The Department of Labor and Employment even has the so-called “entrepreneurial assistance” to underprivileged students by loaning them a capital for business.

If the students do not have business-related skills, CHED recommended that they apply for jobs that would allow them to work during the day and study at night.

The government itself gives out scholarships to incoming first year college students who have excelled in high school. CHED is also calling on colleges and universities to give out academic acknowledgment to students with exemplary academic records.

CHED has observed a decline in applicants for tertiary education, which is believed to have been spurred by the global economic crisis, said CHED Education Supervisor Efren Sucaldito.

Here in Cebu, the University of Cebu and University of the Visayas are among those that decided to bring down their tuition fees to accommodate students whose families are financially constrained. — Mark Z. Gantuangco (THE FREEMAN)