Chapter 1

The Problem and its Scope

Introduction

Tertiary level of studies refers to as postsecondary education. It is the academic pursuit

undertaken after completing high school. This level offers any under graduate programs that

takes four or five years to complete; which includes certificates, diplomas, associate’s and

bachelor’s degrees. (learn.org)

Tertiary education in the Philippines aims three distinct national goals; to educate the

youth and become active and proactive members of society, it seeks to meet and match industry

demand with competent and globally competitive workforce and continuing effort to reach

education standards. (Ching Jorge, Inquirer, 2014)

Tertiary schools both public and private have crucial roles in molding the youth. All

factors should be considered, including the way these schools are managed, the available

programs down to the way learning is imparted.

At present, due to Republic Act 10931, known as Universal Access to Quality Tertiary

Education Act is a law in the Philippines that institutionalizes free tuition and exemption from

other fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) in the

Philippines. It is intended to give underprivileged Filipino students a chance to earn a college

degree. Its main provision states that “Providing for Free Tuition and Other School Fees in State

Universities and Colleges, Local Universities and Colleges and State-Run Technical Vocational

Institutions, Establishing the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Student Loan Program,

Strengthening the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education and
Appropriating Funds Therefore”, a large number of students are now deciding to study in

universities rather than in local colleges.

The first year of implementation of Republic Act 10931 shows rapid increase number of

enrollees in state colleges while a decrease in number of enrollees in private schools. Take for

example AndressBonificio College (ABC), it is known for a great number of enrollees for the

past years before Republic Act 10931 was implemented, specifically in the Departments SBME

(School of Business Management Education) and Criminology. This year, the number of

enrollees for the said departments has decreased three times(ABC, SBME student).

This study aims to determine the factors affecting student exodus from private local

colleges to state universities aside from R.A. 10931.

Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored by the Economic Theory, which suggests that competition leads to

lower prices—a big positive for consumers. This theory explains three reasons relating to college

tuition fees:

First, there are informational asymmetries in the higher education market which violate

the assumption of full information that economists make when discussing perfect competition.

Briefly put, colleges obtain a great deal of information about students’ academic ability and

means to pay while students obtain very little information about prospective schools.

Second, the competition that does take place among colleges is reputation-based as opposed to

value or price competition. CCAP has beaten this drum repeatedly over the years. Consumers

need more information concerning educational value in order to make better decisions. Instead,
the only signal they receive is largely influenced by the wealth of a school (e.g. rankings

published in the popular press).

Lastly, third-party payments to higher education have greatly obfuscated the final price

that students pay. Institutional subsidies and cheap student loans for all are the major

culprits.Based on reasons, it has been argued that competition can lead to lower prices in higher

education if the following three conditions are met:

1. Better information on student outcomes is made publically available.

2. Colleges allocate resources to areas that improve student outcomes rather than improve

merely institutional prestige.

3. Scarce public resources enable education choice rather than limit it.

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the existing study, Factors Affecting

Student Exodus from Local Private Colleges to Local Public Colleges and Universities as

perceived by Jose Rizal Memorial State University students. It is shown that the independent

variable of the study is the student exodus, or the mass transferring of students from studying

in local private colleges to local public colleges and state universities. The dependent

variable is the reasons affecting the Independent variable namely the factors affecting student

exodus from private colleges to state universities and colleges. These factors include RA

10931, Quality Education and School Facilities. To be able to acquire the conclusion of the

said study, intervening variables of respondents are listed. These intervening variables

include Economic Status, Gender and Age.

Student Exodus Factors affecting

 Economic
Status
 Gender
 Age

Intervening Variable

Fig. 1 Schema of the Study

This study aims to determine the factors that affecting student exodus from private local

colleges to state universities as perceived by JRMSU students. Particularly it aims to answer the

following questions:

1. What is theprofile of respondents in terms of:

1.1 Economic Status;

1.2 Gender; and

1.3 Age?

2. What are the factors affecting student exodus from private local colleges to state

universities as perceived by JRMSU students in terms of :

2.1. RA 10931;

2.2 Quality Education;

2.3. School Facilities?

3. Is there a significant difference between the factors affecting student exodus from private

local colleges to state universities and the respondents profile when grouped according to:

4.1 Economic Status;

4.2 Gender;

4.3 Age?
Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference between the factors affecting student exodus from

private colleges to state universities and the respondents’ profile.

Significance of the Study

The study aims to determine the factors that affecting student exodus from private local

colleges to state universities as perceived by JRMSU studentsthat might benefit the following:

Students.This study will give further information to students about what are the factors

that are affecting student exodus from private local colleges to state universities.

Teachers.This study will provide ideas to teachers on how to encourage and make their

strategies effective to avoid exodus from private local colleges to state universities.

Private School Administrators. This study will enable them to determine the factors

affecting student exodus from private local colleges to state universities and how to make some

changes to their existing rules and regulations to avoid or at least lessen the number of students

transferring from private local colleges to state universities.

Government.The resolution of this study will give idea to the government on what

additional or specific aids they can provide for those enrolled in local private schools.

Future Researchers.The information listed and the resolution of this study can be used

for future references, on the factors that affecting student exodus from private local colleges to

state universities.

Scope and Limitation

This study will take place in Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Dipolog City

Campus.
 The study will include fifty (50) chosen students of different course and year level. These

students are those who were from private local colleges before studying in JRMSU-Dipolog. A

pre-survey form was randomly distributed to students to determine the students who were from

local private colleges.

Definition of Operational Terms

To further guide the researchers, the following operational terms are being defined:

Republic Act.As used in this study refers to the approved laws of Philippine congress.

Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).As used in this study refers to the printed

paper that contains the provision of approved laws.

Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.As used in this study refers to the

free tuition law approved by the congress.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED).As used in this study refers to the branch of

government that provides provisions, regulations and rules to tertiary education.

Teacher’s Subject Load. As used in this study refers to the number of subjects that a

particular teacher is holding in a particular semester.

Quality Education System.As used in this study refers to the quality of lessons provided

by a teacher to the students.

Number of Enrollees.As used in this study refers to the total number of population in

each department.

Private College.As used in this study refers to the non-government owned tertiary

schools.
 State Universities.As used in this study refers to the public schools offering less

contribution, fees even free tuition fees. It is government owned schools.