S. No. 395

AN ACT GRANTING SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED BUT DESREVING STUDENTS

Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that:

“The state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

The recognition of the right to quality education imposes upon the State the corresponding duty to protect and promote it. The right is so basic that the State must take steps to make quality education generally accessible to all.

The “elitist” character of quality education in the country has been the object of massive criticism. Even quality education outside of the few “elitist” schools is accessible only to those with financial means. It is the duty of the State to create conditions which are necessary to realize and right of all citizens particularly the underprivileged to equal opportunity to quality and affordable education at all levels, whether public or private.

Article XIV, Section 2(3) provides that: “The State shall establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan program, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.”

It is worthy to note that the benefits of education must also be extended to those who have less in life. Deserving students may belong to well-to-do families but the underprivileged must be given preferences if they also deserve.

To put this constitution mandate into reality, this measure aims to require all colleges and universities, whether public or private, to provide scholarship grants to at least five (5%) percent of their population who are underprivileged but deserving students.

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