Saturday, September 23, 2006 Students seek consultation in tuition hike proposal
THE National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) on Friday called on the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to immediately amend Memorandum Circular (MC) 14-2004.
The NUSP said there should now be a consultation by the school and the students in any proposed increase in tuition and another school fees. "Other fees charged to students will also have to be regulated by the Ched. In the consultation, affected sectors, including the parents, should be in attendance," the group said.
MC 14 allows tuition increase sans consultation, provided this does not exceed the national poverty incidence rate for the past year as per the certification of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
But the NUSP said MC 14 sets a precedent for unjustified imposition of increased rate in tuition. It said this is now being used by most schools nationwide to justify increases being done even without the benefit of a consultation among affected sectors.
As such, the group urged the Ched to impose amendments in MC 14 soon or in time for student dialogues, which is usually done at the end of the second semester. It added that the education body should issue an order to all colleges and universities to rollback and refund tuition increases the past year. (RO)
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