A proposal to review the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931) is gaining traction in Congress in light of the disturbing 39 percent dropout rate in state universities and colleges for two consecutive years, despite the enactment of the free tuition law. 

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez strongly backed a thorough review of the nearly eight-year-old law under House Resolution 61 filed by his colleague, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, in an effort to determine the underlying factors prompting college students to drop out even after the scrapping of the tuition fees. 

A January report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) revealed that nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges were dropping out, with the education attrition or dropout rate reaching 39 percent nationally in School Year 2023 to 2024.

The highest dropout rate was recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 93.4 percent, followed by Central Visayas (60.7 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (59.5 percent), Cordillera (54.9 percent), Metro Manila (52.4 percent), Soccsksargen (51.2 percent), and Western Visayas (50.2 percent).

Romualdez said these “alarming” figures warrant an urgent review of the free tuition law to ascertain what additional support measures the government should implement beyond tuition coverage to ensure that students complete their degrees. 

“This is a gap we must urgently fill. If we truly want free higher education to be a ladder out of poverty, we need to make sure our students can actually stay in school and graduate,” he said.

“The Free Higher Education Law has changed millions of lives. But transformation is not complete when so many students are forced to drop out. Our mission is not just to provide access, but to ensure completion,” he added.

According to EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Yee, the necessity for work while studying and the lack of engagement are two main contributing factors to why students drop out.

He said financial challenges faced by most students do not just end with the government’s free tuition.

Citing a 2023 Pulse Asia survey showing that about 98 percent of Filipinos are in favor of tuition-free schooling in state colleges and universities, Romualdez said this overwhelming support only highlights the need to strengthen and expand the law.

RA 10931, signed by then-president Rodrigo Duterte in August 2017, guarantees free tuition and miscellaneous fees for students in more than 100 state universities and colleges nationwide.

Duterte signed it into law despite a recommendation from his economic team to have it vetoed amid concerns about its funding.