Beneficiality Speech

A college diploma is a dream among Filipinos that is seen as unimaginable, unconceivable,

expensive, or impractical. The state cannot just take the backseat and watch our fellowmen suffer in
poverty. In line with its interest of reinforcing education as a primary value to individuals regardless of
social class, the state should provide full tuition subsidies in State Universities for students who are
deserving but are financially incapable.

Pursuant with the State policy of accessible public education, basic primary and secondary
education are made available at free-of-cost to every Filipino child through the public education system.
Every Filipino is guaranteed the right to education up until the high school level. College education,
however, is a different story.

The results of Annual Poverty and Indicator Survey (2013) reveal that half of college-age youth
were unable to pursue college due to financial constraints or the need to work and earn for the family.
The monetary problems of many families that simply cannot afford to send their children to higher
education deprives them of the powerful tool to lift themselves out of poverty- a college degree.

Investing in higher education is beneficial to the individual, his or her family, and as well as to the
society.

The Family and Income Expenditure Survey (FIES) 2012 shows that a family headed by a college
graduate has an average family income more than two times larger than a family headed by a high school
graduate. In addition, the Asian Development Bank conducted a study of the poverty causes in the
Philippines and found that poverty levels are strongly linked to educational attainment. Two-thirds of poor
households are headed by people with only an elementary school education or below. Access to quality
education is identified as a key pathway out of poverty.

Furthermore, numerous studies unveiled a strong relationship between unemployment and

education. According to a study, (Mincer, 1991; Garrouste et al, 2010; Brunello et al, 2009) individuals with
higher education level faces higher probability of getting hired compared to individuals of lower
education, lower risk of employment and lesser frequency of job turnover. The studies evidently suggests
the singular power of higher education in improving economic outcomes of the neediest segments of our
population. With limited access to tertiary education, a vicious cycle arises in which those who would
benefit the most from a college education would be prevented from obtaining one due to prohibitive
costs.

The benefits of higher education are not limited to the individual and his/her family but also
benefits the state in terms of human capital formation. With the State investing in human capital, it
provides its citizens knowledge and ability to make the most of the limited sources available. This will give
our country an advantage in the current global shift toward knowledge-based economies. Moreover,
higher education trains more professionals like engineers and scientists who play a vital role in the uptake
of new technology. By learning technology from advanced economies, such specialists will contribute
toward stimulating entrepreneurial activity and in turn help job creation. Thus, creating a better-educated
workforce has enormous effects on collective social and economic development, making inclusive growth
a tangible reality.
 It would be greatly beneficial to the Philippines if higher education is given the same level of
importance as primary and secondary education. This would mean the implementation of a revolutionary
education reform- the institutionalization of tuition-free tertiary education.