As graduation season begins, Kristel Tejada is laid to rest and remembered; UP promises reform

UP Manila freshman Kristel Tejada was to be laid to rest on Saturday, just as graduation season began for practically the entire nation.

Tejada was to be lain to rest little more than a week after she was found dead at home, in an apparent suicide. No comprehensive or conclusive report has yet to be made as to what caused Tejada to take her own life, but the fact that she had applied for a leave of absence a few days earlier – apparently out of an inability to beat her deadline for tuition – put the national spotlight on the state university’s tuition policies. In particular, the university was scrutinized – and pilloried – over a UP Manila policy against late tuition, and there was renewed handwringing over the soundness of the implementation of its socialized tuition system.

On Saturday, UP President Alfredo Pascual issued a statement on behalf of the university.

“As Kristel Tejada is laid to rest today, I join the UP faculty, staff, and students, and her relatives and friends in deep prayer and mourning,” Pascual said. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of a promising Iskolar ng Bayan who in life showed a keen interest in her studies. Every student is precious to us. Every young life lost is a lofty dream snuffed out. For we see in our students – in each one of them – a bright ray of hope for the uplift of our country and people.”

Pascual acknowledged that “the past few days have not been easy for us. The news of Kristel’s untimely demise has divided us and this has saddened us more.” He added, however, his determination to “turn our grief into a stronger resolve to address the concerns brought out by this tragedy.”

Pascual, who had ironically ordered a review of UP’s tuition policies before Tejada’s death, pledged “reform”.

In Pasay City, at the graduation ceremonies for the Philippine Women’s University (PWU), Tejada was remembered as well. The PWU’s commencement speaker, PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, said: “As we celebrate your graduation today, I would be remiss if we do not mention the tragic loss of Kristel Tejada – one of your sisters – last week. I would not surmise, much less judge, the realities which drove this promising, young lady to take her own life. I am sure things are more complex than we know. But of this we are certain: Education should be a right for all, not a privilege for a few.”

Pangilinan added: “Kristel’s death devastated all of us – you as students, and we, as your elders. We are saddened because we know that we continue to disappoint many young Filipinos who deserve a good education. If we continue on this path, we will ultimately fail our own future.”

UP president Pascual concluded his own statement by saying: “With all UP stakeholders collectively working towards reform, I am confident we can soon truly say that no qualified student is denied education in UP because of financial reasons,” he said. “Soon we can claim that UP, the country’s national university, has indeed become the University of the People.” –InterAksyon.com