THE Commission on Higher Education in Negros Island Region (Ched-NIR) has warned schools, specifically Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), that they cannot yet implement tuition increase for academic year 2017-2018.
Ched-NIR Director Freddie Bernal, who also heads Ched Central Visayas, in a concurrent capacity, told SunStar Bacolod on Wendesday, May 17 that pending the approval of Ched Central Office, no HEIs in the region can impose higher tuition this year.
“They can collect tuition provided the prior rate will apply. As soon as approved, HEIs can collect the difference,” Bernal said, adding that erring schools will face corresponding sanctions.
The Ched has already approved the applications for tuition increase of some private schools only in regions of Ilocos, Bicol, Caraga and Davao.
For Negros, Bernal said applications are still subject for validation since the HEIs still have to comply with technical requirements, including the 3.3 percent increase limit.
Proposed increases higher than the cap need to be justified, Bernal said, adding that they cannot yet issue the names of HEIs in the region that applied for tuition increase.
Based on the Ched-NIR records, 11 schools applied for higher tuition for the coming academic year. Of which, only seven had been submitted to Central Office for approval.
The other applicant-schools were disqualified technically, or due to non-submission of necessary documents.
“Like Cebu, we are still waiting for the approval of applications for schools in NIR expected most probably within the week,” Bernal said.
Ched, in a report, said that in 2016, some 2,659 colleges and universities applied for tuition increase.
Of which, only 304 schools, or 18.32 percent, were approved. The increases ranged from 3.20 to 7.49 percent, it added.