September 12, 2023
With more than 8,000 applicants aspiring to enroll at NwSSU Main Campus this academic year, only approximately 3,000 were accepted. Over half of the student applicants have lost the opportunity to pursue college for free. This brought the call for the establishment of Calbayog Community College to resurface again.
NwSSU, as one of the State Universities and Colleges (SUC) in the country, receives its budget from the national government. Other than SUCs, there are also Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) which are established and financially supported by local government units. Providing college education does not solely rest on the national government. This is where community colleges, which are classified as LUCs, come into play.
The presence of a community college in Calbayog City is seen as one solution to halt the increasing number of students who fail to continue to attend college. The establishment of an LUC can address the limited capacity of NwSSU, which relies solely on the allocation from the national government. In this way, a reasonable number of the population can attain a college degree.
While there are private schools in the city that students can attend with scholarships from the local government, having a school with a much affordable tuition fee or if not, free education is still tremendously different. Calbayognon students can also save on expenses by not having to go to other SUCs outside the city.
The idea of the existence of LUCs in the Philippines is not new. Some prominent LUCs in the country include the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and University of Makati, both operated by their respective local government units. In Eastern Visayas, there are also a few community colleges established. Just this 2023, Ormoc City opened the City College of Ormoc.
As the population and number of students continue to grow, it is only appropriate to have a community college in Calbayog or in other parts of Samar that will serve as a partner and ally of NwSSU in providing a quality higher education to Samarnon students.
It is high time for the local government to act and initiate meaningful programs that will elevate our deteriorating education system in the locality. The establishment of Calbayog Community College can be considered a sustainable project that will significantly contribute to the city’s progress.
Perhaps now is the right time to consider other ways to strengthen our educational situation, especially at the tertiary level. Let us put an end to the dilemma of every Samarnon student. Let us remember that education is a right, not a privilege.
