A group of UST Senior High School (SHS) students was apprehended on Tuesday by faculty members for staging a “silent protest” on campus over the implementation of the K to 12 program.
The silent protest, which started from the 11th floor of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building, was blocked upon approaching the sixth floor of the building.
The students were brought to the principal’s office and their IDs and mobile phones were confiscated.
Blaise Bellosillo, SHS student and Anakbayan-UST member, claimed the K-12 program was being commercialized by the administration.
“Commercialized [ang K to 12] kasi ginagawa kaming huthutan ng pera. ‘Yang voucher system na ‘yan palaging pinapangako na isu-subsidize raw ‘yung tuition namin pero hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin kaming napapala roon,” Bellosillo told the Varsitarian in an interview.
The voucher program covers students who have finished Grade 10 and who wish to pursue senior high in private schools. Under the program, students are able to claim a “discount” from their tuition and other fees.
Bellosillo claimed there was no transparent breakdown of fees when it came to the “other fees” paid by the students.
Members of the League of Filipino Students-UST and Anakbayan-UST later held a protest outside P. Noval gate.
LOOK: Thomasians stage a protest along P. Noval gate in front UST to rally vs. high cost of education and continued implementation of K-12 program under the Duterte administration. pic.twitter.com/PQE8Puyqj8
— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) February 20, 2018
SHS Principal Pilar Romero has yet to comment on the incident. With reports from Ma. Angelica D. Garcia
