Ched challenged: Reject tuition hikes

YOUTH progressive groups asked the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) in Davao region to disapprove the applications for tuition increase of 31 higher educational institutions (HEIs) particularly in Typhoon Pablo affected areas.

"The youth can never forget how Ched contributed to the ballooning number of out-of-school youth because of the rising cost of education," Penelope Palma Gil, Kabataan partylist-Davao City coordinator, said in a statement mailed to Sun.Star Davao.

Palma Gil said Ched approved more than 200 out of over 2,000 applications of HEIs before the start of the present academic year 2012-2013.

Rendell Ryan Cagula, League of Filipino Students-Davao City coordinator, chided Ched in its alleged contribution to the worsening commercialization of education.

"The meager budget allocation to education pushed private and public educational institutions to engage in different income generating mechanisms, like tuition increases, which burden the youth and parents," Cagula said.

At least 31 out of 92 HEIs in the region signified to increase tuition and other fees for school year 2013-2014 -- 26 schools applied for increase in tuition and other fees, one for tuition only, and four applied for other fees.

"Actually, nagbaba ang number of schools nga nag apply karon. Last year, we had 45," Raul Alvarez Jr., acting regional director of Ched, told Sun.Star Davao on Tuesday.

Of the 26 schools that applied for increase in tuition and other fees, 19 are from Davao City, two in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte with four, and one from Compostela Valley province.

In Davao City, the schools that intend to increase tuition and other fees are: Assumption College of Davao, Ateneo de Davao University, Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines, AMA Computer College of Davao, Brokenshire College, Davao Central College, DMMA College of Southern Philippines, Davao Medical School Foundation, Holy Cross of Sasa, Jose Maria College, John Paul II College of Davao, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, Mindanao Medical Foundation College, Philippine Women’s College of Davao, San Pedro College, St. Peter’s College of Toril, STI College of Davao, Tecarro College Foundation, and University of the Immaculate Conception.

Holy Cross College of Calinan applied for increase in tuition fees only, while Holy Cross of Davao College sought for increase in other fees only.

In Davao del Sur, Serapion C. Basalo Memorial Foundation College, and South Philippine Adventist College applied for tuition and other fees increase, while Holy Cross of Davao College-Babak sought for other fees increase.

In Davao del Norte, Arriesgado College Foundation, ACLC College of Tagum City, Liceo de Davao, and Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology sought hike in tuition and other fees, while Aces Polytechnic College of Panabo applied for increase in other fees.

Kolehiyo ng Pantukan in Compostela Valley province also applied for increase in tuition and other fees, while Assumption College of Nabunturan sought for increase only in other fees.

"The total number of HEIs increasing the tuition and/or other fees, which is 31 out of 92, might change depending on the result of the consultations and the compliance reports to be submitted to Ched regional office on or before April 1, 2013," Alvarez said in a statement.

Palma Gil said the schools benefited from miscellaneous fees as these are not included in the incremental proceeds.

"Despite the inclusion of ‘other fees,’ (Ched Memorandum Order) CMO 3 has no concrete guideline to prevent the rampant collection of redundant, exorbitant and dubious fees," she said.

CMO 3, S. of 2012 is the Enhanced Policies, Guidelines and Procedures Governing Increases in Tuition and Other School Fees, Introduction of New Fees, and for other Purposes.

"The school administration and students must meet half way and agree on the specific value of the proposed increase. Kung walang consultation with the students and parents, they should question that before our Ched," Alvarez told Sun.Star Davao.

Private schools that seek tuition increase rely on the collection of payment from students and it is vital that schools pay good salaries to its teachers who have high qualification like master’s and doctorate degrees, the Ched acting director said.

Alvarez said only 10 percent of the tuition increase goes to the owners as return of investments, since the 70 percent or the chunk of the tuition increase goes to the salaries and benefits of faculty members and 20 percent goes to the upgrading of school facilities.