Baguio Progressive Groups Call for Junking of UPCAT

BY CARL JOSHUA CALMA

Amidst the return of the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) this weekend, June 3 to 4, various progressive groups in Baguio urge the exam’s removal, favoring better funding for state universities and colleges (SUCs).

With around 104,000 students vying for a spot in this year’s exam, only 10-15 percent of examinees are expected to be admitted to the prestigious university.

UPCAT resumes | The University of the Philippines’ face-to-face admission test will be conducted this June 3 to 4 for the first time since 2020, with over 100 testing centers nationwide holding the exam – Emman Capones.

Survival of the richest

Alliance of Concerned Students (ACS) member Mar Clarence Quinto emphasized how the UPCAT must be removed, citing the financial aspects influencing the chances of admission.

“UPCAT is not as fair as they brand it, considering that social status can still affect your entry to UP. For example, many do not have access to review centers, while others have the resources for it. Thus, they have increased chances of passing,” said Quinto.

Ronnah Kryzia Soposo of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) - Metro Baguio added how the exam should not be the sole basis for receiving a quality tertiary education.

“Ito ay isa sa mga manipestasyon ng nabubulok na sistema ng edukasyon. Hindi dapat nasusukat sa isang exam ang husay at talino ng isang estudyante dahil karapatan ng bawat isa sa atin na matamasa ang isang libre at delikadad na edukasyon.”

Expanding support

For the fiscal year of 2023, the University of the Philippines System suffered a budget cut, losing P22.295 billion, impacting the university’s infrastructure projects and capabilities to accommodate more students.

To this end, Quinto stated that the administration must allot more resources to the education sector to make higher education more accessible and remove the need for entrance exams such as the UPCAT.

“While we acknowledge that UP has indeed limited slots, a reason why tests like UPCAT are conducted, we are still firm in our stand that the administration should put more effort into the education sector and strengthen our universities and colleges across the country so that they can also offer the free and quality education that many students are aiming for.”

Soposo echoed Quinto’s sentiments and demanded that the government exhaust all means in supporting public higher education institutions (HEIs) for students to avoid facing financially burdensome entrance exam preparations or tuitions.

“Full state subsidy sa mga SUCs at LUCs [local universities and colleges] ang kagyat na tugon na dapat gawin ng administrasyon upang maging accessible ito sa lahat. Nandyan din ang pagpapanawagan sa pag-abolish ng mga entrance tests at mga mahigpit na admission processes. Dahil ang mga ito nakabatay sa grade merit at nananatili itong hindi naaabot ng mas malawak na populasyon ng sangkaestudyantehan.”

Furthermore, University Student Council (USC) Nationalist Corps Committee Councilor-Elect Nicolai Cañas also urged the UP System, as a state university, to join the calls to make quality education within the institution easily attainable.

“Bilang isang state university, inaasahan natin na makiisa ang buong UP sa kampanya para sa nationalist, scientific, and mass oriented education dahil bilang isang institusyon, malaki ang papel nito sa lipunang pagbabago.”

This year’s installment of the university’s entrance exam comes after three years of postponement brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, momentarily replaced with the UP College Applications (UPCA), an admission score model for assessing student applicants.