GRADUATING students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines decried the imposition of excessive fees for their virtual graduation on September 30,2020.

‘The Catalyst’, the school newspaper, reported that graduation fees increased from P600 to P700.

Students not covered by the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which grants free college education, were required to pay for their virtual graduation rites and other related fees.

The students claimed that the university did not release any advisory on the increased fees.

“Schedule lang for online graduation ang ibinigay nila. Pero other than that, mga about sa fees, wala. Maski ‘yung mga dapat i-process nitong nakaraan lang nagbigay,” a student said.

The students urged the PUP administration to be compassionate at this time when many workers lost their jobs because of the pandemic.

“Sana magawan ng paraan ‘yung about sa excessive fees. ‘Yung fee for TOR, Diploma, and COG matatanggap ko pa. Pero ‘yung graduation fee na P700 parang hindi naman necessary. Virtual graduation na nga lang ang mangyayari, so we’re expecting na mabawasan man lang yung bayarin,” a student said.