THE number of enrollees at the Talisay City College (TCC) doubled after school officials announced that tuition is now free.
The announcement prompted 22-year-old Christian Casio of Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City to rush to the school. He has stopped attending classes at the TCC for five years now due to financial difficulties.
He managed to finish only one semester in Hospitality Management because even if he was a working student and the tuition was minimal at P3,000, his salary was not enough to cover his school expenses.
Casio was still in high school when he lost both his parents, while his two siblings already have families of their own.
Since there was no one else he could depend on, he was forced to work to support himself and realize his dream to finish college. His dream didn’t materialize.
Last summer, when he heard that beginning this school year the tuition, miscellaneous fees and laboratory fees in TCC are free, he immediately enrolled in B.S. Education classes so he can finish college.
Students, though, will have to pay for their books and uniforms.
“The free tuition will help students a lot. It encourages those who have financial difficulties to go to school, to strive more so we can finish our course. We don’t have to worry about the school fees anymore and we can now focus on our studies, ” Casio told Superbalita Cebu.
Dr. Ritchel Bacaltos, TCC president, said they used to have 900 to 1,000 enrollees but the number has reached 2,000 following the offer of free tuition.
The policy was implemented after the National Government started supporting TCC.
Because of the large number of enrollees, the school administration agreed that Talisay City residents will be prioritized.
The TCC, though, will allow old students who are not residents of Talisay to continue with their studies. (from FE MARIE DUMABOC of SuperBalita Cebu/LRC)