Tuition fee hike in 12 schools ok'd

CEBU, Philippines - At least 12 private colleges and universities in Central Visayas have been granted the authority to increase their tuition fee for the coming school year 2012 to 2013.

The Commission on Higher Education in Central Visayas yesterday said that the petition for tuition fee increase of these higher learning institutions have already been approved by the CHED Central Office.

The increase is at the average of 8.56 percent or P48.95 per unit. The amount is allegedly lower compared to the 10.94 percent increase last year.

1. CHED-7 director Amelia Biglete however refused to reveal the names of the schools were granted authority to increase tuition fees saying they still have to get the clearance from Manila.

2. Biglete said there are 140 higher learning institutions in the region, 124 of which are private schools, five are state universities and colleges and 11 are local colleges.

Biglete however said that the number of schools collecting additional tuition fee is just 8.57 percent of the total number of schools in the region.

“This is lower in number compared to 16 private HEIs that increase tuition last academic year 2011-2012,” Biglete said.

“There will be no tuition increase in all five state colleges and universities and 11 local colleges this acadenic year 2012-2013,” Biglete added. — (FREEMAN)