No tuition hike in Talisay this sem

CEBU, Philippines- While the management is eyeing a hike, there will be no tuition fee increase in Talisay City College at least for the second semester, this school year.

This was the assurance of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, who sits as the chairman of the TCC Board of Trustees, after his office received reports and complaints from some parents that tuition fee at the school would swell to P550 from last semester's P300.

"The management of the school has a plan (to raise the fee), but it's only a plan that needs approval from the TCC board," De los Reyes said.

De los Reyes said consultation with parents is necessary before implementing the plan.

"Atong hinumduman nga kasagaran sa atong mga estudyante sa TCC nahimutang sa marginalized sector diin uban sa ilang pamilya mag-uuma, drayber ug mangisdaay. Kinahanglan og consultation before atong i-implement," the mayor told reporters.

The city government is currently subsidizing the school in the amount P13 million every year.

In a separate interview, TCC officer-in-charge Dr. Edgar Martinez admitted they are proposing for the increase but it will be presented yet to the board.

According to Martinez, the board will conduct conference with the parents and students on Monday next week. TCC enrollment already started yesterday.

Some parents with children enrolled at the school earlier cried foul on the proposal, saying it will be a burden on their part especially that they are earning below minimum wage.

"Wa na gani na sila'y klaro ron, patas-an na hinuon ang entrance. Unsaon kaha na nilang kwarta?" said a mother who refused to be named. She has one student enrolled at the said city-run school.

Another mother, who has one student there, also echoed similar sentiments saying that for someone who relies on a P50 daily income being a helper at a carenderia, this additional fee is "definitely a trouble."

TCC was established in 2004 by former first district representative Eduardo Gullas with the aim of giving affordable college education to the city's fresh high school graduates. Gullas was then the city mayor.

When the school opened, the usual price of one unit per semester ranged from P80 to P100 and the entrance fee was pegged at P300.

Gullas expressed his strong opposition to the plan of the school management to increase tuition fee for next school year.

If the school management will push through with the plan to increase its fees, Gullas said it would be detrimental to TCC's aim to provide affordable education.

According to him, instead of increasing the tuition fees, the city government should rather conduct austerity measures in order to help the local college with its operational expenses.

At present, TCC houses about 2,800 students.   (FREEMAN)