TACLOBAN CITY, May 21 (PNA) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has yet to decide on tuition fee increase application of three colleges in Eastern Visayas.
Of the three schools, only one request was forwarded by the CHED regional office to their head office since the proposed adjustment is way beyond the regional inflation rate.
Zonia Salazar, CHED technical division assistant chief, said two tuition fee hike applications were deliberated in the regional level. The official, however declined to disclose the names of these schools.
“One school asked for tuition and other school fees increase, which may be charged to incoming freshmen, which is not covered by the guidelines and can be decided within the regional level,” Salazar said.
Another school was asked to adjust the minimal increase lower than the current inflation rate of seven percent.
“The CHED regional office will have it noted if they will be able to adjust the proposed increase,” she added.
The last school that passed their application was denied since they submitted requirements beyond the April 1, 2015 deadline.
Eastern Visayas region has 93 tertiary schools with 40 owned by the government and 53 by the private sector.
Earlier, the CHED main office approved the applications of 313 private higher education institutions (HEIs) for increase of tuition and other school fees school year 2015-2016. Across all regions the average percent increase is 6.48 percent.
Salazar said that CHED ensures that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law, especially the requirement of consultation, the allocation of tuition fees, and strict adherence with the processes that seek to make tuition and other school fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable.
In approving tuition fee hike, the government takes into account regional inflation rate, financial standing of the institution, financial capacity of the general studentry, impact of calamities, quality track record of the school and the mission and vision of the institution. (PNA)
JBP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO
