More than 300 schools allowed to increase tuition

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved a tuition increase of up to P50 per unit in over 300 schools in the country. Of the 390 universities and colleges which petitioned for a tuition hike, CHED has allowed 337 private universities and two public schools to impose a tuition increase ranging from P30 to P50 per unit. "Those 339 schools went through the consultation process. At least we can say that those schools followed the process," CHED executive director Julito Vitriolo said in a 24 Oras newscast. Video embed link:
However, the commission refused to identify the schools which will be imposing a tuition hike, saying parents can call CHED regional offices to verify if their children's schools are among those allowed to increase their fees. It likewise defended its decision to sanction the tuition increase, saying it depends on the needs of the universities and colleges. "It depends on their needs. The salaries of their teachers are important, and 70 percent of the increase will go to the salaries of the teachers. They need to hike their tuition is there is already a clamor for that," Vitriolo explained. The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) said the tuition hike was unjust. Based on their records, tuition increase this year may hit as much as P855 per unit, from P230.79 per unit in 2001. The organization called for a revocation of the order that allowed schools to increase their tuition, saying some did not conduct proper consultation with students. "We hope these schools would cease from implementing a tuition hike. Every year, our parents bear the brunt of increased school fees. The schools should stop increasing their tuition so our parents can finally breathe easy in sending us to schools," NUSP president Einstein Recedes said. He vowed they will stage protest actions leading to the opening of classes in June. - Jerrie M. Abella, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV