STUDENT GROUPS WARN OF WALKOUTS

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) yesterday said the mass walkouts will be pursued "to press upon the government genuine answers from genuine student demands."

For school year 2006-2007, at least 97 schools in Metro Manila have sought a new round of hikes in tuition and other fees, prompting the NUSP to plan nationwide mass walkouts.

School fee increases are perennial and it is an annual problem faced by students and their parents, the NUSP leader pointed out, as he deplored the government's indifference towards protection of the right to education.