Youth groups set to file charges vs. CHED officials for gross negligence

Representatives from Kabataan party-list and several student organizations are set to file administrative charges against officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) next week due to their alleged failure to act on pending tuition complaints.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said in a statement that CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan and the four other members of the commission must be held accountable for their “gross incompetence, gross inefficiency and gross neglect of duty” in addressing complaints from the students.

“For years, student groups including the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and student councils of various colleges have continually filed complaints against bogus tuition hike consultations and other violations related to tuition increases. Yet, year in and year out, CHED failed to address these complaints, and instead acted as a mere stamp pad for the approval of tuition increases,” he said.

Ridon warned that his group will file charges against CHED officials before the Office of the Ombudsman should the commission fail to act on the omnibus complaint that will be filed before it before the end of May.

According to Rise for Education, an alliance of youth groups and student councils for quality and accessible education, CHED has been sitting on a total of 10 complaints on tuition hike violations since they were filed early this year.

Some of the schools which have filed complaints were National University, Far Eastern University-Manila, FEATI University and San Beda College.

Over 350 out of the 1,683 private HEIs in the country have applied for tuition increases for the coming school year. CHED said it may release a decision on the requests by next week.

Ridon noted that Congress has already compelled CHED during a congressional hearing on May 7 to act upon the complaints filed before it since enrollment period is approaching fast.

According to the lawmaker, the commission appears to have ignored the order since some colleges and universities with pending complaints have already begun charging new and higher fees.

“CHED did not follow Congress’ instruction. Until now, we have yet to see any definitive action on the part of CHED with regard to the pending complaints,” he said. —Xianne Arcangel/KG, GMA News