LINGAYEN–The state-owned Pangasinan State University (PSU), alarmed by the declining number of students enrolling in fishery-related courses, has begun offering free tuition fees.

Dr. Victoriano Estira, PSU president, said the annual average 2% decline in enrollees has been worrying school authorities, especially given that fishing and fish farming are major industries in this coastal province.

“They probably thinkthat actual fishing in the sea is no different from learning concepts in school,” Estira said.

At the PSU College of Fisheries in Binmaley town last year, some 100 freshmen students were given free tuition fees.

The scholars are chosen based on entrance examination results, high school grades, and family financial status.

Estira said some of their scholars come from other provinces like neighboring Zambales.

“If we succeed in getting even just 5% of the high school graduates in public schools to enroll in our eight campuses provincewide, that’s already something”, he said.

“Most students are looking forward to having white collar jobs but if they have the entrepreneurial skills, they could also earn with their (fishery) course,” he said. PSU has produced board topnotchers in B.S. Fishery.#

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