A student of Bestlink College of the Philippines in Novaliches, Quezon City injured in the bus crash claimed they were forced to pay P2,250 and join the three-day camping in Tanay to comply with the requirements of their Computer Programming subject, a major subject, and the National Service Training Program.
“Pinilit po kami na magbayad dun. Binigyan po kami ng choice: Kung sasama kami sa camping, may 100 percent project na po kami sa dalawa nang subject. Ang sinabi naman po ng NSTP teacher namin na kapag hindi kami sasama dun, mag-cocommmunity service, tatlong araw po ’yun,” Raymond said.
Raymond said they were convinced by their teachers that the community service would be more expensive than the R2,250 charged for the trip.
Zanny Samsona, Bestlink College coordinator for school activities, denied that they forced the students to join the camping.
Samsona said that the camping has been a part of the school’s activity for 10 years and is part of the requirements of the NSTP law.
He added that there is no special project required for those who opted to miss the activity.
(Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)
