Students’ group asks CHED to stop tuition hikes

MANILA, Philippines – The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and the Kabataan party-list yesterday called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to impose a tuition increase moratorium.

NUSP national president Einstein Recedes said a moratorium is the only protection that can be given against the continued imposition by colleges and universities of tuition hikes and new “miscellaneous fees” in the next academic year 2010-2011.

“We have attended tuition consultations and gathered data on tuition and other fee increases for the next academic year. Our findings confirm that education in our country is increasingly becoming inaccessible for the majority of the people,” he said.

According to Recedes, a study conducted by the NUSP on tuition rates of private schools starting 2001 showed an increase of an average of 90 percent.

For the next academic year, the NUSP sees a 10 percent increase in tuition and other fees in schools all over the country.

“Whats the point of CHED’s existence if it cannot stop, regulate even, tuition and other fee increases?” Vanessa Faye Bolibol, NUSP secretary-general, said.  – Rainier Allan Ronda, Philippine Star