It has been a
week since a Behavioral Science student of UP Manila took her own life
allegedly because of tuition fee woes. Perhaps, many of you are wondering why I
have not said a thing about the tragic death of Kristel Tejada (will my opinion matter?). I have been
contemplating on writing something about it, but unfortunately, cannot find the
right motivation to string all my thoughts into sentences. Blame it on other
news that hogged the headlines, such as this perpetual spat between an
actress-host and her estranged basketball player-husband, and the tirades made
by the parents of a Kapuso actress towards their daughter’s politico-boyfriend
(will I write something about them too?)
What pushed me to write this blog post, is the news that two UP Manila officials will be sued in court for criminal charges related to the suicide of Kristel Tejada. According to the two lawyers who filed the complaint, the “no late payment scheme” of the UP Manila administration has contributed to Kristel's low self-esteem (which eventually resulted to her depression). My personal take on this matter, is that this drastic move is clearly an exaggeration of the highest form. Supposing that Kristel did not commit suicide, will the lawyers see anything wrong with the said scheme?
I don’t think
that UP Manila was remiss in its duties towards indigent students, especially
with Kristel. First, Kristel was allowed to enroll for the second semester,
despite having incurred an outstanding balance of ten thousand in the previous
semester (other schools would not have allowed this). Second, she was given
three extensions to settle her payment. Unfortunately though, she and
her family were not able to deliver the goods needed for such settlement.
Third, Kristel was asked to provide the requirements needed in connection to
her appeal to be relegated to one of the lower brackets in the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) of UP. But for one reason or another, she was not able to comply with such requirements. Fourth, Kristel's professors were compassionate enough to allow her to attend their respective classes even though she
was not yet officially enrolled due to non-payment of her balance and tuition
fee (other schools would not have allowed this too). And lastly, she was
advised to file a leave of absence for the second semester before it's too late. Such move will make it
easier for her, and other students who are similarly situated, to be re-admitted on the following semester since their leave is
official, as compared to those who did not resort to such leave (AWOL
status). "Forced leave" or not, it was certainly for their best interest. Having said all these, is UP Manila still liable? UP Manila did its part, right folks?
It is clearly
unfair on the part of the UP Manila administration to take all the blows left and right from various people and groups. No school is perfect to begin with. Nobody wanted anybody to die. Taking
the matter to court will not bring Kristel back to life. No amount of finger-pointing
will douse the pain that all concerned individuals are experiencing arising
from her tragic death. Why not resort to some introspection and ask ourselves
what have we done to help our fellowmen? To all the accusers, what have you done to help others?
Let us all pray for Kristel Tejada's eternal rest.
And may her memory always remind us,
that education is supposed to be a right, and not a privilege.
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