“The CHED memorandum ordering the implementation of a five-year nursing course is nothing but a bitter pill that shall overburden students while failing to address the problem of run-of-the mill and overly expensive and commercialized nursing schools.”

This was the statement of Terry Ridon, Spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students in reaction to the five-year nursing program proposed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“Given today’s uncertain economic times, an added year in the study of Nursing shall also be an added year of tuition and other fees for students and their parents while providing additional opportunities for education vultures to earn more,” explained Ridon.

The youth leader added that the thousands of practicing filipino Nurses here and abroad are proof of the sufficiency of the existing four-year Nursing Program.

The LFS, together with other student groups said they will be holding a national signature drive to prevent the proposal from pushing through.

“In light of the crisis, the government should stop making proposals that shall make education less accessible. An additional year in any course, is an injustice to all students,” said Ridon.

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LFS critical of Arroyo anti-drug campaign, says move smacks of theatrics and cheap gimmickry

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For more education related articles, download the June 2008 issue of the COMMITMENT, the official publication of the LFS here