Marcos signs law expanding aid for college, vocational students

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday signed into law amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), expanding government assistance for tertiary and vocational education students.

The new law, which will be known as Republic Act No. 12325, strengthens RA No. 10931, which provides free tuition and other school fees for students at state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions.

READ: Education leaders urge cross-sector action to reverse PH learning crisis

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RA 12325 expands coverage under the Tertiary Education Subsidy and provides additional assistance to students from disadvantaged and underserved groups, including qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

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The law will also cover more education-related expenses to help more Filipinos pursue tertiary education.

“It is a measure that builds on the government’s promise and strengthens it for the years to come—bringing us closer to a future where every Filipino family has at least one child who completes a bachelor’s degree or a technical-vocational education and training (TVET) program,” Marcos said in his speech.

“Poor and deserving students taking priority programs who are not covered by existing grants may also receive government support to pursue their studies in qualified private higher education and technical-vocational institutions,” he also said.

Marcos said education will remain at the top of his administration’s priorities, noting that every learner who completes a college degree or TVET program brings greater opportunities to their family and strengthens the country.

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He also cited improvements in the country’s global standing in education.

“In 2022, only 12 of our local colleges made it to the World University Rankings for Innovation. Today, 140 of our colleges have made it into the same rankings. This is a result of deliberate choices that have been made by government,” he said.

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The total proposed budget for the education sector is P1.314 trillion to P1.326 trillion under the P7.2-trillion 2027 National Expenditure Program. As mandated by the Constitution, the education sector receives the largest portion of the national budget. /jpv