It is highly lamentable that even the innocent, harmless Chinese students in the country who are merely studying in the country as a way of expressing belief in what our education system offers, are being unnecessarily dragged into other issues that completely have nothing to do with them.
If our authorities continue doing this, we will surely lose out in terms of tourism, education and much-needed boost in the country’s economy.
Take note of this. Every year, about 80 million students graduate from high school in China. Of that number, only eight million can be accomodated in colleges and universities since they do not have enought institutions to cover all their high school graduates.
This is the reason why the students look for college institutions outside of their country, as in fact they have students spread all over many countries like Singapore, Australia, US, Canada and England, among others.
Now, the Philippines is one of the beneficiaries of the 72 million students searching for the right colleges or universities for them. This is not only due to our proximity to China but moreso, due to their impression that our educational system offers proficient English learning.
Imagine what having 72 million potential students could offer to any country.
By conservative estimates, each student will spend at least US$1,000 a year for their board and lodging and tuition fees alone. This is a staggering US$72 billion in potential earnings for the Philippines.
Now since it is impossible to get all 72 million, let us imagine that the Philippines gets only 30 percent of the said number. This already spells 4 billion dollars in much-needed added spending in our country.
As it is, our neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam are raking in millions in dollars respectively, from their tourism industry, with the Philippines lagging behind. Sadly, those two countries used to be way behind us in terms of progress and economy.
The Philippines is losing out in terms of tourism and the country badly needs sources of huge income to boost its economy.
In the case of the said Chinese students in the country, their conservative spending rate is at US$2,000 just for taking an English proficiency program. Imagine if it’s a full course. How many teachers and non-teaching staff stand to benefit from this?
The students from China merely take advantage of the opportunity to learn English and other courses in the country because they find our educational system efficient and cheaper compared to other countries.
They use the trainings, programs and courses they take as a springboard for overseas jobs and there is nothing wrong with that.
With the reckless pronouncements being made that tend to cast aspersion on the Chinese students, I was told that some schools abroad are contemplating to stop sending their students to the Philippines.
Apparently, the existence of Chinese students in the country is being forcibly tied to the West Philippine Sea issue which should never the be case.
The maritime dispute must be taken separately and should not involve the education aspect of the country’s relations with China.
I do not see how the presence of Chinese students in the country could pose a security risk, as how one lawmaker puts it. This is simply ludicrous.
