IS QUALITY EDUCATION CHEAP IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Ridiculous off the ceiling budget requirements for university fees, annual increases and minimal government support - this is how I would describe the Philippine educational system.  And you know what else is crazy, the country's TOP universities that charges the biggest amount of educational fees can't even make it to the Times Higher Education's Top 400 world university rankings.

I am not saying that the universities here in the Philippines are no good, in fact, there was a time when people all around the world would dream of getting an education here in the Philippines because back then, our  country was recognized as having some of the best and cheapest schools in the world.  Quality was at par with the biggest schools in other parts of the globe.

We failed to enter the world ranking for the fourth time in a row last 2013.  Still, tuition fees continue to rise. Absurd.

The lowest possible cost for each term for the Philippine's Top private universities would be on the 35K to 75K mark in Pesos.  While State Universities (if you're lucky) ranges from 700 to 25K Pesos.  Annually, that would cost you a minimum of 150K for the tuition fees alone at one of the Top 5 Private Universities in the Philippines.  Considering that schools increases its fees yearly at an average of 10% I am expecting to pay at least 400K Pesos of tuition expense for the first year of college education for my 10 year old daughter nine years from now.  That is if we survive our current primary school fees which  is already in the 40K mark.

The price of quality education in this country is anything but reasonable.

For a government that is very vocal about the importance of education for progress, they suck in supporting the reforms that they themselves authored.

Let's see, nine years from now... pay for a college education

• Annual Tuition Fee: 400K (minimum)
• Annual Misc. School Expense: 100K (minimum)
• Annual Allowances and Transportation: 60K (minimum)

Total Annual: 560K (minimum)

Get a job after four years of college education...

• Monthly Salary: 20K (possible minimum wage without deductions)
• Annual Salary: 240K (possible minimum wage without deductions)

Not including all the investments made in pre-school, primary and high school, your ROI (Return of Investment) 'might' come after 10 to 15 years depending on the opportunities that come your way like job promotions, salary increases and side projects.  You however shorten the ROI period if you'll work outside of the country.

It is a given that Private educational institution as a business establishment needs to profit from their investments as well, but the point is, government should at least provide options to more students especially those who can't afford quality private education.

• Increase the capacity or establish more State-owned colleges and State Universities to accommodate more students.
• Elevate the quality of teaching in ALL State Universities - to be at par with the top universities in the world.
• Put in more budget, to get the BEST teachers, the BEST instruction methodologies available and modernized the facilities and equipment of state-owned schools.
• Further improve the Tuition Subsidy Program of the government to help more students.
• Make primary education ABSOLUTELY FREE, especially to those living in the rural areas so they can get better chances in making it to College.

Government should realize that Free and Quality EDUCATION for ALL when prioritized can bring in more progress.  No more LIP service.  As parents gladly sacrifice hard-earned money to invest in their children's education however ridiculously high the fees are, so must the government invest on educating its young people no matter how high the INVESTMENTS are.  Because 10 or 15 years from now, those that they have nurtured with quality education will bring in more HOPE for a brighter future for our country.  Its people are still the Philippine's greatest asset and FREE EDUCATION is a much better investment than putting a huge amount of government budget on FREE CONDOMS.