Students protest tuition hike

AT yesterday's opening of classes, a group of student activists gathered at the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to protest the approval of a tuition hike in some private colleges and universities in Central Visayas.

A Ched 7 official defended the tuition increase in 18 colleges and universities in Region 7, saying this will not only improve the facilities of the schools but will also result in better pay and benefits for teachers.

About 14 members of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) Cebu Chapter rallied in front of the Ched 7 office near the Ecotech Center in Barangay Lahug yesterday morning.

Kyle Tumbiga, LFS Cebu Chapter spokesperson, told reporters the rally was just one of many mass protests they plan against Ched and its regional offices across the country.

Tumbiga said instead of defending students, Ched has become "capitalistic," "anti-student" and "insensitive" when they approved the tuition increase.

He blamed Ched 7 Director Dr. Amelia Biglete for the increase.

Tumbiga said it is not right to increase tuition right now when the country is suffering from the global economic crisis and the El Niño phenomenon.

Tumbiga and other protesters said they will resort to violent rallies like the ones in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines should their demands not be met.

Dr. Candelario Aytona, Ched 7 assistant director and current officer-in-charge, asked the rallyists to be reasonable and refrain from resorting to violence.

He said the rallyists should understand the plight of the teachers who also need a raise in salaries and benefits.

Aytona said the tuition increase will also help improve facilities for in-demand courses like Information Technology.

Aytona said tuition increases are within the paying capacity of parents.

Aytona said Ched 7 will monitor colleges and universities to check if there is an illegal increase in tuition.

Colleges and universities in Central Visayas that were allowed to increase its tuition fees are Asian College of Technology in Cebu City (18 percent), Benedicto College in Mandaue City (13 percent), Blessed Trinity College in Bohol (10 percent), Bohol Wisdom School (30 percent), Cebu Doctors' University (5 percent), Cebu Institute of Technology (7 percent), Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (14. 85 percent), Foundation University in Dumaguete City (9.58 percent), La Consolacion College in Negros Oriental (15 percent), St. Louise de Marillac College in Bogo City (9.5 percent), St. Paul University in Dumaguete City (10 percent), St. Theresa's College (5 percent), Trinidad Municipal College (3 percent), University of San Carlos (7.98 percent), University of San Jose-Recoletos (7.5 percent) and University of Southern Philippines Foundation (7 percent).

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