Ched questions City nursing school fee hike sans its nod

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) School of Nursing may have to return to students a portion of the tuition it collected the past two years.

This, after the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) questioned the collection of higher tuition without authority from the body.

The school's Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) and student body, however, said it was aware of the increase in tuition and supported it.

PTA president Ramon Gillamac said that they backed the move because they were aware that the school was having a budget deficit.

He said quality education suffered because of the low tuition. Besides, he added, they know that despite the increase, the school's tuition is still much lower compared to that of the other schools offering the same course.

Shanette Kim Temblor, who represented the school's Nursing Student Association during the City Council public hearing yesterday, said that the student body supported the increase since it means better equipment and facilities.

That was why, she said, they supported the tuition increase even when it was implemented without City Council and CHED approval.

During the course of the public hearing, however, it was learned that all the students were not consulted before the increase was imposed.

CHED Regional Director Amelia Biglete, in a statement read by Atty. Pacita Isugan, said "all higher education institutions, public or private, that are intending to increase their tuition and other school fees for the ensuing academic year (AY), shall conduct consultations with their student councils/governments, and their faculty, alumni and/or non-teaching personnel associations."

Biglete said the consultation should be made "not later than February 28 of the AY preceding the AY that the intended increase shall take effect," as stipulated under CHED Memorandum 3 Series 2012.

The council asked Isugan on the legal effect of the school implementing the increase without a certification and without city council and CHED approval of the increase, and she said there would be sanctions against schools which are not observing the memorandum.

"If ever there will be collected fees this time, it shall be returned to the students if ever collected," she said.

However, City Councilor Noel Wenceslao, proponent of the proposed ordinance said the current school fees were based on a 1994 schedule that can no longer sustain the rising costs of operation. 

"For the school to meet its necessary expenditures, and to avoid further deficit, updating the schedule of fees of the school is necessary", he added.

Temblor also  said the increase would be very beneficial for the students, leading to academic excellence in their profession.

City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, though, found her statement surprising since a student body usually opposes any kind of tuition increase.

Temblor said that she favored the increase because they saw lots of improvements in their school since its implementation.

She admitted, though, that she only spoke with the fourth year students, when quizzed by City Councilor Alvin Dizon if she consulted the students in lower levels.

"Wala pa namo nahisgotan sa lower levels kay sa head usa ni hisgotan, and if they would approve, that's the time nga mosulti mi sa lower year," said Temblor.

 She said she is not aware about the CHED memorandum for the school to consult stakeholders before implementing the tuition increase.

Dizon requested the  school to conduct consultations in all year levels in compliance with the CHED memorandum.—  (FREEMAN)