Pangasinan State College Faces High Dropout Rate Among Indigent Students

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), operated by the provincial government, is experiencing a high dropout rate among its students, most of whom are scholars from economically marginalized families. Despite the absence of tuition and other school fees, students struggle to afford daily living costs and commute expenses. Dr. Raymundo Rovillos, president emeritus of PPC, stated that the college admits 700 freshmen annually, but the total enrollment has fallen to 1,640 in its third year, indicating a significant attrition rate. "Some students eventually drop out of college for the simple fact that they're extremely poor," Rovillos told the Inquirer. He explained that students cannot afford to commute to the campus and cover basic needs like food. Additionally, some students are compelled to work to earn income for their families, forcing them to abandon their studies. "From our exit interviews, the majority of those leaving school admit their reason is still financial," Rovillos added, noting a few cases of dropout due to unintended pregnancies. The college is seeking support for the living allowances of its scholars, but current assistance is limited. Support comes from individuals within the provincial capitol, including politicians and employees, some of whom offer free housing. "That's a big help already," Rovillos said. To address the issue, PPC recently launched a free lunch program for students. The program solicits donations from "good samaritans" who sponsor meals, which are then provided by a local resort. Students receive meal stamps for free lunches, with 30 students currently benefiting from this initiative. Rovillos mentioned that most students who drop out were enrolled in education and special needs courses.