At least 10 CV schools want to increase tuition

CEBU, Philippines - At least 10 universities and colleges in Central Visayas have applied for an increase in tuition and other fees for the next school year, the Commission on Higher Education confirmed yesterday.

 CHED-7 Director Freddie Bernal, however, refused to disclose the names of the schools, saying other schools might still follow until the application deadline on February 28.

According to the report of the Tuition Monitor Network of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), however, the University of San Carlos (USC) and Cebu Normal University (CNU) are among the 400 schools nationwide eyeing to jack up their tuition by the coming academic year.

 The NUSP, the broadest alliance of more than 650 student councils/governments and federations in the country, said the proposed tuition and other school fees increase range up to 13 percent.

 In line with the proposed increase, at least 11 members of Anakbayan and student’s group of Cebu had a closed-door dialogue with Bernal to air out their opposition to the increase. NUSP Vice President for Visayas April Dyan Gumanao said they asked Bernal to study the applications of private schools.

Gumanao said they also urged CHED to listen to students’ side.

 “We are hoping that CHED will listen to us not to approve again tuition and other fees increases. Dili aprobahan ang increase,” she said.

 She claimed that for the longest time, CHED has been a “rubber-stamp” agency that allows tuition increase despite abject violations of the students’ democratic rights prior and during tuition increase consultations in various schools.

Niño Olayvar of Anakbayan said the protest has been going on for over a year after CHED approved 313 Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) applications for tuition and other school fees (OSF) increases this academic year (AY) 2015-2016 last year.

 He also hopes that CHED will hear the students’ sentiments.

 Bernal, however, pointed out that they will approve applications for tuition increase as long as the schools have complied with all requirements.

 These are consultation; justification on where the increase would go based on the guidelines—70 percent for salary of faculty members/employees, 20 percent enhancement and development of school operations, and 10 percent profit/return on investment; and other technicalities.

 Bernal said schools need to increase fees to also enhance its operations and educational services.

 “For us to compete globally we need to increase our fees. Paano magsu-survive ang school kung ang operations walang pantustos?” he said, adding, that tuition fees in the Philippines are relatively cheaper than in any other school in Asia.

 NUSP-Visayas has asked CHED to furnish the group the list of schools that want to raise fees.

 Gumanao, in a letter, explained the request is in line with their Tuition Monitor Campaign, which aims to gather data on the quantitative and qualitative statistical information on the present status of tuition and other fees collected by public and private schools in Cebu, as well as the proposed increase.

 Bernal promised to provide the list by Monday.  (FREEMAN)