Fewer WV schools to hike fees
The appeal by President Arroyo and the country’s education officials seems to be working as fewer colleges and universities in Region VI will be increasing their tuition and other school fees compared to the number last year, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).
Also, three schools withdrew their application to increase tuition.
Only eight higher education institutions (HEIs)—two universities and six colleges—around Western Visayas will be increasing their tuition and other school fees for the next school year. The number is drastically down from last year’s, which was at 33 universities and colleges.
The five major private universities in the region, the Central Philippine University, St. Paul’s University of Iloilo, University of San Agustin, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, and the University of Iloilo, will not be increasing their fees, according to Engr. Alan P. Lena, the supervisor in charge of tuition and other fees for CHEd Region VI.
Meanwhile, Aklan Polytechnic College, the STI College-Kalibo and West Negros University withdrew their application with the CHEd to increase tuition.
The reason why fewer schools are increasing their tuition and other school fees is, Lena explained, that school-owners are aware of the economic crisis and because of the early appeal by CHEd chairman, Emmanuel Y. Angeles.
Lena also noted that the percentage increase is lower than that of last year. While tuition increases in the past have even reached as high as 15%, the rate for the next year 1/3 lower on the average.
Tuition in Riverside College for the next school year will be higher by 4%, according to records at the CHEd. For St. Therese-MTC Colleges-La Fiesta, St. Therese-MTC Colleges-Magdalo, St. Therese-MTC Colleges-Tigbauan, and University of St. La Salle, it will be higher by 5%. All five HEIs justified the increase, citing either provisions in the Collective Bargaining Agreement or the Department of Labor and Employment order for salary increases for employees.
Following Angeles’ appeal, Mt. Carmel College lowered its tuition increase to 4.3%.
STI College-Kalibo and West Negros University will be implementing a selective tuition hike next school year. Students already enrolled in these schools will have no increase in their tuition and other school fees, but only freshpersons for school year 2009-2010.