THE COMMISSION on Higher Education encouraged its scholars to complete their education, improve their lives and give back to the country.

In his message to students of the University of Antique, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera emphasized free college education and the scholarship grant are rare opportunities, thus they should make the most of their subsidy.

“The scholars need to pay forward, since the money being used to subsidize their education comes from the pocket of every Filipino who pay their taxes. Sila iyong tunay na iskolar ng bayan, kasi ang bayan ang nagpapaaral sa kanila,” De Vera said.

“The scholars are given the opportunity. They should maximize it to improve their lives and pay forward so that other young Filipinos who aspire to have a better life will also, be given the chance to finish their education,” he added.

The University System of UA has more than 16,000 students and a lot of them are recipients of Unified Student Financial Assistance, Tulong Dunong, and other scholarship grants.

UA is a recipient of two programs under the study PH grant, namely the Juan-A Go tourism program application to be developed by the university and Sipal EskUelA, an eco-adventure tourism sports summit to be hosted by the province towards the last quarter of this year.

De Vera cited the data sourced out from the Department of Education that out of 100 kids enrolled in Grade 1, only 25 reach the universities.

CHED chairman hoped with the free tuition for tertiary education, the number of students finishing college could increase from 25 to 40 percent.

De Vera emphasized it is the time to claim victory for higher education because of the implementation of free tuition which was given priority by the Duterte administration.

He also urged universities to be more proactive in teaching the students some livelihood skills and financial literacy so they will have knowledge and skills in handling their money, and can become entrepreneurs and business owners.