UP Manila student committed suicide over tuition woes

UP Manila -- A 16-year-old first year student of University of the Philippines (UP) Manila committed suicide inside her home in Tondo, Manila at around 3 a.m. Friday, two days after she filed for a leave of absence (LOA), according to reports from the Philippine Collegian and Manila Collegian.

Professor Andrea Bautista Martinez of the Department of Behavioral Sciences said the student frequently visited the Office of Student Services for counselling services. The professor said that the victim was forced to take LOA because her family could no longer afford to pay her tuition.

The UP Manila student was assigned into Bracket D of the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) which meant she had to pay P300 per unit or around P7,500 per semester with 18 units, including miscellaneous fees.

Martinez said the student had filed for re-bracketing but the results of her appeal will not take effect until the next academic year.

The student's request for a tuition loan was also denied by the UP Manila loan board.

The Manila Collegian quoted Martinez as saying:

“Malaki talaga ang impact sa buhay niya ang LOA kasi pati pamilya niya naapektuhan. Since February, hindi na siya pumapasok. Lagi siyang nagtetext sa’kin na hindi niya kinakaya ang problema."

“Since the STFAP has been revised, lalong nag-increase ang tuition ng UP. Every student should be able to study in UP regardless of their financial situation. The UP administration should not deprive them of their right to education,” Martinez said.

The UP Manila student's remains lie in Metropolitan Medical Center and will be transferred to a funeral house in Abad Santos in the afternoon.

The student was the eldest of five children. Her father is a taxi driver and her mother a housewife.

Source: ABS-CBN news

UPDATE:

FEARLESS EDITORIAL of DiversityHuman.com administrator regarding the death of the Freshman Student of UP Manila