By Abigail KwokINQUIRER.netFirst Posted 13:55:00 08/02/2008, Philippines
Starting them early.
Political graffiti Saturday morning welcomed students from across the country hoping to enter the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where about 30,000 hopefuls take the nerve-wreaking admission test yearly.
“Bawal ang mga mahihirap dito (Poor people are prohibited here)” and “Edukasyon para sa lahat hindi lang sa mayayaman (Education for all, not just for the rich)” protest slogans were spray-painted on the walls of various buildings in the sprawling state university in Quezon City.
A group, which identified itself as Pambansang Grupo ng mga Mural na Artevista (PGMA), claimed responsibility for the graffiti.
“The artists request complete anonymity as the activity may endanger their positions within the university,” a member said.
PGMA is an organization of artists seeking to educate senior high school students taking the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) about the state of Philippine education and the commercialization of UP, the member said.
UP has a long history of activism and its students played active roles in political protests against the 20-year brutal rule of Ferdinand Marcos and the anti-insurgency war that led thousands fleeing the countryside during Corazon Aquino’s presidency.
“This is probably one of the largest post-Marcos operations. Most, if not all, of the operations are cantered on anti-commercialization of education, strengthened by an anti-Arroyo sentiment,” said the group.
The university police said they would investigate Saturday’s incident, adding students behind the “vandalism” could face academic sanctions, including suspension.
source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080802-152237/Political-graffiti-greet-UP-hopefuls
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4 comments:
good luck to the future iskolars.
i remember that time when i took the test. it was quite hot but good thing i was assigned to take the UPCAT in the econ building (aircon *ehem* *ehem*).
I actually disagree with what the PGMA activists are saying. Yes, it is true that there are schools which have very high tuition fees and that not all students can afford to pay for it. But that is what scholarship is for. To give chance to those who really want to study and at the same time can achieve high grades. And also, the University of the Philippines is giving that utmost chance to every individual out there who really needs it. Education in UP is for those who really are in need of financial help and also, those with proper intelligence and skills.
bawal ang mahihirap dito??
edukasyon para sa lahat hindi lang sa mayayaman??
una, bakit nila sinasabing bawal ang mahihirap sa UP?? anong karapatan nila?? kung edukasyon para sa lahat ang nais nila, hindi bat kasama sa lahat ang mahihirap??
pangalawa, ibinibigay ang edukasyon sa lahat lalung lalo na sa mga nagsisikap at karapat-dapat..kaya nga mayroong mga scholarship program..
pangatlo, bilang isang tao dapat marunong kang humarap at panagutan ang kung ano mang kalalabasan ng iyong ginawa..sa isang matalinong tao, hindi naman siguro ito mawawaglit sa iyong isipan???
for me i think that the gov't should really try to improve our state schools specially because the future of our country lies on the hands of the students..and poverty may be removed through good education..
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