FINAL DESTINATION Allen Wisdom G. Alanis Education is a right, not a privilege. We often hear.

At state colleges and universities (SUCs), poor but deserving students are enjoying the same opportunity to those studying in prestigious schools. They are called Iskolar ng Bayan. But the promise of subsidized education, sometimes fails with light or grave consequences. Days ago, we were shocked by the death of a 16-year-old behavioral science student, Kristel Tejada, who committed suicide allegedly for being unable to pay her tuition fees in University of the Philippines, Manila. After hearing this news, several questions came to my mind. Why the UP Administration did not give just a little consideration to Kristels case? She could have finished her first year college study. Where are the friends of Kristel when she was undergoing such pressures in her studies? Isnt it that friends in need are friends indeed? What were the values her parents taught her? She should have been taught the courage to overcome the challenges in life. We cannot pinpoint anyone, though, who is the sole reason of this untimely death. First, the university, knowing that it is already established for long years and has produced successful graduates, has set of rules and policies that are irrevocable. Students, therefore, are to adhere with the said policies and should be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations pertinent there to. Second, the family of Kristel should encourage and motivated her to remain fighting despite their financial problems. Third, Kristels classmates and friends should be a source of her strength to uplift her spirit and continue believing in the power of her dreams despite the bumpy roads she is facing. Lastly, Kristel, herself, after the great challenge she has faced, must have remained resilient and optimistic that even though her dreams are falling apart, there is still hope remaining that God is still in control, whatever happens. Hearing suicide as an initial reaction of a student in that state is unusual, but there are a lot of stories of students dropping out of public schools and SUCs because they cannot afford the tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses. I attended the commencement exercises of my students in OJT, and the guest speaker is a Certified Public Accountant. He emphasized the thought that earning a degree is still the best tool to uplift the socio-economic status of a person. It is a fact that since Philippines is still a developing country, it is obliged to produce citizens who are academically trained to place themselves in the job world. At the end of the day, we are our own drivers. We can still decide what road we are taking and what journey we are traveling. We need to be careful because decisions are vital and the destination is FINAL.

Nothing like fraternities, rallies, killings and boycotts have discommoded our university this current school year. The longest distance between two points of views has been made because of this uniform system. The school administration has imposed this No Uniform, No entry policy last_________. Some, who are susceptible, raised eyebrows and reacted furiously. Some receptive, though, just welcomed the idea wholeheartedly. One of the biggest arguments is that PUPians need to provide at least two sets of uniform if they dont want to endure the wash-and-wear drama. The next contention is the students handbook, stating in Section 2.1 that Every PUP student is given the liberty to dress up according to his/her individual taste but he/she is urged to adhere to the conventions of proper grooming. Another ground says that uniforms do not prepare students for the real world in which people wear whatever they want. Some asks the point of wearing complete uniform when they only have one class for that day or when they will just have a meeting or practice inside the campus. The investigative students magnify the pages of the handbook that further state the note saying that In cases where a Department/ College would have a uniform, this must be approved by at least the majority of the students and noted by the College Council President and the Dean, yet it should not be made compulsory and should not be taken against the students in any form. In every coin, however, there are always two sides. Looking at the issue at first sight, we do not perceive any uprightness with the administrations purpose. Our understanding is confined with the rationales we believe in. Relatively, whatever is realized in establish terms appear fair and supreme. With that, we must remember that the different views result in whirlwind of opinions especially if aired in improper mediums. And the close minds will result in an unfinished business. Ahh! What am I going to wear today? Sounds familiar? Having uniforms will lessen the hassle in looking for outfits we need to carry for school. Having identical trappings can make all students feel equal. Uniform also gives the students security that there is a fewer chance for outsiders to enter the university. Uniform may also improve our individuality because we need to express ourselves through our personality and attitude, rather than through an expensive pair of shoes or a brand pair of jeans. A study done by The New York Times shows that uniforms decrease peer pressure and increase student discipline. PUP-SMB is not a fashion training ground. We cannot go against the current when we know the same current will take us to our port of call. With a little discipline, we can prove that PUPians can be united, even in UNI-forms. As students, we have the lion share in deciding in the policies imposed in our university. Our opinions matter in their strengthening or banishing. There is the gravity expected from us. Do we really study things before reacting? Think.