CEBU, Philippines - Student councils, student publications and student organizations from different universities and colleges under the Students Opposing Tuition and Other Fees Increase Alliance (STOP TOFI Alliance) launches the Tuition Monitor Cebu (TM Cebu).
Melanie Montano, chairperson of College Editors Guild of the Philippines Cebu (CEGP Cebu), said that in just one decade, the national average tuition fee increase has reached 108.35%.
She cited that during the academic year 2000-2001, the average tuition fee per unit was still P257.4 but now it has doubled to P536.31 per unit.
“We are alarmed by the rising trend of tuition increase in the country. While schools are gaining millions in profit, millions of students are also deprived of their right to accessible education.†said Montano in a statement.
TM Cebu is one of the initiatives of the alliance to address the issue of tuition and other fee increases in private higher education institutions.
It aims to gather data regarding proposed school fee increases for next school year while keeping an eye out for faulty consultation methods with students.
It also aims to gather data on previous increases in school fees in order to create an overview of school fees all over the country.
Through the TM Cebu, students can air their grievances to the hotline 09238124203 or www.facebook.com/STOPTOFI. Those with complaints will be provided with assistance, even legal assistance.
Jun Marr Denila, chairperson of the National Union of Students of the Philippines-Cebu said that they will expose undemocratic consultations and prepare to campaign against fee increases this early.
Denila added that they want those who are responsible like the Commission on Higher Education to do something about this.
The STOP TOFI ALLIANCE is a Cebu-wide network of student councils/governments, student publications, student political parties, student organizations, youth formations, student leaders, teachers, parents and concerned individuals united to stand against the incessant tuition and other fees increase.
Some of the alliance’s current members include NUSP Cebu, CEGP Cebu, Kabataan Partylist Cebu, Nation Builder - Cebu Technological University, University of the Visayas College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, University of the Visayas - Political Science Society, Southwestern University Supreme Student Government, The Quill - Southwestern University, Tug-ani - University of the Philippines Cebu, Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante – University of the Philippines Cebu, University of the Philippines Cebu Student Council and League of Filipino Students - University of the Philippines Cebu.
Other members are ANAKBAYAN - University of San Carlos, ANAKBAYAN – Cebu Institute of Technology. (FREEMAN)