256 universities, colleges to hike tuition

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said 256 colleges and universities are expected to push through with tuition increases for academic year 2012-2013.

It, however, said a number of schools that had earlier expressed intention to raise fees decided not go on with their plans.

CHED sources said the latest tally of schools that have submitted petitions for increase stood at 220. 

They said the National Capital Region was reported to have 33 schools set on imposing tuition hikes. A total of 67 schools submitted applications for fee increase in Metro Manila.

Earlier, CHED projected that some 305 schools would raise their fees based on the list submitted by schools last February.

The CHED deadline for schools to submit their petitions was last April 1.

The commission explained that some schools were planning to hike tuition but they still had to conduct the required consultations with students, parents and faculty, and may or may not submit their petitions this month.

“The usual reason is for them to retain their students, instead of losing them to cheaper schools,” CHED sources explained.

Militant youth group Anakbayan earlier lambasted CHED for its alleged approval of petitions for tuition increases.

Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chair, said their affiliate student organizations have alerted them of complaints on CHED regional offices’ speedy approval of fee hikes.