HOW CAN UNIVERSITY BE FREE

(TITLE PAGE)

SUB. IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN

ECO 003

SUBMMITTED BY:
KRIZ ANTHONY ZUNIEGA
BSIT 2B

SUBMMITTED TO:
DR. ERLY MARTIR
PROFESSOR ECO 003
OCT. 17, 2013
Education is an essential tool for achieving sustainability.
People around the world recognize that current economic
development trends are not sustainable and that public
awareness, education, and training are key to moving society
toward sustainability. Beyond that, there is little
agreement. People argue about the meaning of sustainable
development and whether or not it is attainable. They have
different visions of what sustainable societies will look
like and how they will function. These same people wonder why
educators have not moved more quickly to develop education
for sustainability (EfS) programs. The lack of agreement and
definition have stymied efforts to move education for
sustainable development (ESD) forward.

It is curious to note that while we have difficulty

envisioning a sustainable world, we have no difficulty
identifying what is unsustainable in our societies. We can
rapidly create a laundry list of problems - inefficient use
of energy, lack of water conservation, increased pollution,
abuses of human rights, overuse of personal transportation,
consumerism, etc. But we should not chide ourselves because
we lack a clear definition of sustainability. Indeed, many
truly great concepts of the human world - among them democracy
and justice - are hard to define and have multiple expressions
in cultures around the world.

An important distinction is the difference between

education about sustainable development and
education for sustainable development. The first is an
awareness lesson or theoretical discussion. The second is the
use of education as a tool to achieve sustainability. In our
opinion, more than a theoretical discussion is needed at this
critical juncture in time. While some people argue that "for"
indicates indoctrination, we think "for" indicates a purpose.

All education serves a purpose or society would not invest in

it. Driver education, for example, seeks to make our roads
safer for travelers. Fire-safety education seeks to prevent
fires and tragic loss of lives and property. ESD promises to
make the world more livable for this and future generations.
Of course, a few will abuse or distort ESD and turn it into
indoctrination. This would be antithetical to the nature of
ESD, which, in fact, calls for giving people knowledge and
skills for lifelong learning to help them find new solutions
to their environmental, economic, and social issues.
With tuition fees that increase annually, and with the number
of high school graduates who could not afford a college
degree, Daniel Razon saw the need to support and assist many
poor but deserving students. He thinks it is not impossible
to help and shoulder not only the tuition fees of students
and their other expenses even without a position in
government.

This led to the establishment of the La Verdad Christian

College branch in Caloocan, Metro Manila. As the first
private college in the country that ease poor families from
paying tuition fees, La Verdad College became the very first
in sponsoring uniforms, books, meals and even transportation
allowances of students. The college does not impose a very
high weighted average for entrants, as opposed to other
scholarships that require at least a 90 percent weighted grade
in their senior years in high school.
The private free tuition-fee college offers courses in
nursing, computer technology, and mass communications.

In its desire to make the students adjust to the real demand

of the corporate industry, mass communication students are
given extensive training at some of the programs at UNTV.
This opportunity to immediately practice what the students
learned is an effective teaching model being applied at the
school so that students get hands-on and actual training of
how it is done in the industry.
To maintain its operations, the school has the backing of
UNTV, and the Ang Dating Daan group through Bro. Eli
Soriano, who founded the first branch of the school in
Pampanga, which is already giving free education from
elementary to college students.

The inauguration of the schools first branch in Caloocan is

yet another step taken by Bro. Soriano and Mr. Razon to help
poor families send their children to school. The main branch
has been operational in Apalit, Pampanga since school year
2009-2010.

There are those who really want to study but they hardly can
One may be capable of studying but cannot do so why not
give them a chance as well? For as long as we see the
potential, the willingness to learn and we see the sincerity
and perseverance, we will help them, Mr. Razon said in an
interview.
In its opening last June 15, the college expects to
accommodate more than 500 full scholars in its Caloocan and
Apalit, Pampanga branches.

The school currently offers a four-year AB Broadcasting

course. Its two-year course offerings include: Computer
Programming, Mass Communication, International Cookery,
Office Management, and Nursing Assistant.

Once admitted at La Verdad College, scholars are relieved of

tuition fees and miscellaneous fees. Scholars are also given
free uniform, books, meals and if possible, a dormitory (just
like in La Verdad College Apalit, Pampanga branch).

To remain a scholar, students must maintain an average grade

of 2.0 in college. In Apalit, Pampanga where elementary and
high school are offered, students must maintain an average
grade of 87 percent.

Asked if the school receives grants or support from the

government, Mr. Razon was quick to reply in the negative,
adding that help comes from zealous support of the Ang Dating
Daan group or Members Church of God International (MCGI).

To fund the colleges expenses, Mr. Razon has been teaming up

with some advocacy groups like Isang Araw Lang and Bible
Readers Society International (BRead Society) to initiate
benefit efforts like the successful Takbo Para sa Libreng
Kolehiyo (Run for Free College) held at the SM Mall of Asia
grounds last February this year and the Youth Convention and
Concert (Y ConCon) in March, among others.
Through this public service, Bro. Soriano and Mr. Razon are
keen in helping the government, especially the newly-elected
administration of President Benigno Aquino III in producing
prudent youths whom the nation can be proud of in the future.

Not only that La Verdad College maintains that it strives to

offer quality education, but that school administrators and
teachers are motivated to help make students equipped to
become morally-upright, disciplined, and God- fearing
citizens of the society.
The government supports public elementary and secondary
learning levels. With the entry of La Verdad College, the
country will see for the first time a tertiary level school
which offers everything for free, including meals, textbooks
and a dorm room.

Nowadays, almost nothing comes free. On the contrary, La

Verdad College assured parents and scholars that even after
completing their courses, students will never be asked to
render volunteer or professional works with the institution
in order to repay what La Verdad College spent for
them. After graduation, scholars are free to pursue whatever
careers they wish to enter.

We have never believed that education is a privilege, but an

inherent right of a person, said La Verdad main branch in
Apalit director, Carolinne Laguinto. She reiterated what
Bro. Soriano once said about his vision for the La Verdad to
give premium education to students without fees at all.

For at least in their two- to four-year stay at the college,

La Verdad College scholars can forget about their poverty and
focus instead on reaching their dreams.
When I was younger, I thought it was illegal to not go to
college, and of course, my parents were more than happy
to not tell me the truth. Now why would they do that? Because,
my parents care about me; they know that a post-high school
education would make a huge difference in my post-high school
life. Having a college, vocational or technical school degree
can affect how much money I could earn in a lifetime, the
quality of life I could enjoy, the type of home I can raise
my children in, and the career opportunities I could have.
Overall, a person's whole range of possibilities stems from
their previous education, especially financial possibilities.
Whether I earn bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree, the
amount of money I can earn throughout my lifetime can increase
from hundreds of thousands to millions. That means financial
security; I won't have the constant worry that comes from
living paycheck to paycheck and I can save the money I earn
for everything from emergencies to family vacations.
Another benefit of higher education is an improved quality of
life; it never hurts to know more and be better educated.
Such education not only benefits your psyche but also your
daily life and financial security. Those with a degree qualify
for jobs with benefits such as healthcare, dental, and paid
vacation. With a strong educational background I can have a
job that I enjoy and have the resources to enjoy my time
outside of work as well, and feel comfortable.

Furthermore, people with post-high school education tend to

go on and raise their families in very desirable areas.
College graduates especially are most likely to own a single
family home (yard and garage included), in a neighborhood
with quality schools, and very low crime rates. Education can
earn you a place of safety and solace for your family,
somewhere you can be proud to call home.

Last but certainly not least: opportunity. America is said to

be a land of equal opportunity. Now, some may not feel that
this is true, but what everyone must realize is that the
mother of opportunity is education. As long as we live in a
country that provides free education, public libraries, and
is home to hundreds of scholarship providers, there is no
reason to feel that opportunity is denied anywhere. Anyone
can seize these resources to pursue all of their educational
dreams, and they should! When I obtain a degree from an
accredited school of higher learning my horizons will expand.
I will instantly qualify for dozens of different jobs I may
not have ever imagined. I can look forward to a happy, healthy
life. I will enjoy independence and options. The benefits of
higher education are almost innumerable and quite frankly, to
pass up such an opportunity is a decision that could only be
made by someone who doesn't understand the effect education
has on their life, so yes, every student should pursue higher
education.

Educational thought is the "reflective examination of

educational issues and problems from the perspective of
diverse disciplines."sIt does not necessarily aim to
prescribe educational practice as do normative theories, nor
does it necessarily set out to describe or explain the way
things are, as does descriptive theory. Rather, it is general
reflection on what is prescribed and what has been described.

Learning theories are conceptual frameworks that describe

how information is absorbed, processed, and retained
during learning. Cognitive, emotional, and environmental
influences, as well as prior experience, all play a part in
how understanding, or a world view, is acquired or changed,
and knowledge and skills retained.
Behaviorists look at learning as an aspect
of conditioning and will advocate a system of rewards and
targets in education. Educators who embrace cognitive
theory believe that the definition of learning as a change in
behavior is too narrow and prefer to study the learner rather
than the environment, and in particular the complexities of
human memory. Humanists emphasize the importance of self-
knowledge and relationships in the learning process. Those
who advocate constructivism believe that a learner's ability
to learn relies to a large extent on what he already knows
and understands, and that the acquisition of knowledge should
be an individually tailored process of construction.
Outside the realm of educational psychology, techniques to
directly observe the functioning of the brain during the
learning process, such as event-related
potential and functional magnetic resonance imaging, are used
in educational neuroscience. As of 2012, such studies are
beginning to support a theory of multiple intelligences,
where learning is seen as the interaction between dozens of
different functional areas in the brain, each with their own
individual strengths and weaknesses in any particular human
learner.
On my own idea, many schools established by the different
establishments public or private schools. They promote
education to all humanities but we cant deny the fact that
not all human wants to be learn, can take their studies in
school. Because of this hindrances such as financial
problems, poverty and also their position in society other
counts for them. Despite of these facts and realities we shown
now a days theres a thing not be totally disappear is that
a theory that brings to everyone a hope, hope to the people
whom they cant afford to studies in school.