Seven colleges apply for tuition increase

CEBU, Philippines - At least seven colleges and universities in Central Visayas intend to increase their tuition and other school fees for the next school year, said an official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-7.

CHED-7 Regional Director Freddie Bernal told The FREEMAN yesterday that seven of the 133 higher education institutions (HEI’s) in the region had applied for tuition hike for all levels, arguing that they want to augment the salary of their school personnel and to improve their facilities.

On top of the seven, another four HEI’s had applied for an increase for freshmen students only, Bernal added.

No application has been approved yet, as the requirements the proponents submitted are still being scrutinized.

Bernal, however, clarified that the number of HEIs applying for an increase may not be final yet, as the regional office had to examine first whether these institutions submitted the necessary documents and followed the procedures.

“CHED will still process their application and check whether they comply with the processes and the documentary requirements. We still have to see the documents,” said Bernal in an interview yesterday over the phone.

He revealed that the common reasons cited under the application for the proposed tuition hike are salary increase for the school personnel and staff and for the improvement of equipment and facilities.

Bernal refused to disclose the names of the institutions who applied for an increase, since the applications have not been approved yet.

He said it would be unfair on the part of the school administration to announce something that is not final yet.

Once the applications are approved, Bernal said these will then be elevated to the CHED Central Office for validation.

He assured that CHED will announce the name of the institutions granted with the approval for the tuition fee increase.

CHED is the authorized government body that regulates the school’s tuition for higher education institutions.

Higher education refers to the level of education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, institutes of technology and other collegiate level institutions.

The CHED regional offices, on the other hand, function as the body that will receive and assess the applications of HEI's for increases in tuition and other school fees. (FREEMAN)