Poverty Forces Students to Quit Pangasinan College Despite Scholarships

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Pangasinan Polytechnic College, a publicly-operated institution now in its fourth year of operations, continues to battle elevated dropout rates driven primarily by the economic hardship faced by its student body. According to Dr. Raymundo Rovillos, president emeritus of the college, the majority of enrolled students are scholarship recipients drawn from economically disadvantaged families who lack sufficient resources to cover essential needs.

The college's scholarship program, designed to provide educational access to underprivileged youth in the province, has inadvertently highlighted a critical gap between tuition coverage and the living costs students must shoulder. Many scholars are unable to afford meals, transportation, and other necessities required to sustain their enrollment, prompting them to leave their studies despite receiving full academic support.

The situation underscores a persistent challenge in the Philippines' efforts to democratize higher education access. While removing financial barriers to enrollment remains essential, experts note that comprehensive support systems addressing students' basic welfare requirements are equally vital to retention and completion rates.

Pangasinan Polytechnic College officials have yet to announce specific measures to address the dropout crisis, though the issue has gained attention among provincial education administrators and policymakers concerned with maximizing returns on educational investments.