CHED hit for lenient rules on tuition hike

Militant youth groups criticized the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for allegedly being lenient on higher education institutions (HEIs) that intend to raise tuition this coming school year.

“CHED’s claim that it has a strict mechanism in deciding tuition hike applications is nothing but a cacophony of lies,” National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) president Sarah Elago said.

“The commission said that it (approves) tuition increases based on inflation. What CHED fails to see is that tuition and other school fees hikes are unjust and unnecessary,” Elago added.

The NUSP released the statement in anticipation of the release of the number of colleges and universities that will be allowed to raise tuition for the incoming academic year.

CHED said it would release the complete list of HEIs allowed to raise tuition this month.

In an interview with GMA News at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, CHED Chairman Patricia Licuanan said the number of schools that would be approved to raise their tuition would be lower than last year’s 287.

“If schools are autonomous, we would allow them to increase tuition,” Licuanan was quoted as saying in the report.

“Tuition increases, however, should be within allowable inflation rates for the regions. If it’s beyond or more than the regional inflation rate, they have to justify it,” she added.

Earlier, the NUSP said some 400 universities and schools intend to raise tuition and other fees for the academic year 2015-2016.

The youth group noted that some schools have signified intention to raise tuition by up to 13 percent, while some have plans to increase other school fees by up to 20 percent.

CHED said it would ensure that universities meet the guidelines provided by law and strictly adhere with the processes seeking to make tuition hikes transparent, reasonable and affordable. –Philippine Star, By Janvic Mateo