CHED urged to probe schools prescribing expensive books

Manila, Philippines -  An administration lawmaker urged yesterday the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to investigate universities and colleges that prescribe expensive text books to their students, whose families are already burdened with the high cost of education.

House Assistant Majority Leader and Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles appealed to the country’s colleges and universities not to aggravate the burdens of parents “whose children are barely coping with the spiraling cost of tertiary education by prescribing scandalously expensive textbooks.”

“I received reports that some books being required in a psychology subject in one school are priced at P10,000 each. Can you imagine the financial trauma that parents undergo if students would need two or three books within that price range?” Nograles said.

He expressed suspicion that there could be collusion between the institutions and book suppliers for reasons other than public service.

“Private higher education institutions (should) look into the matter and review their respective programs/curriculum and explore alternatives that could help unburden parents,” Nograles said, adding that CHED should look into the matter.

“I am confident alternatives can be found,” he said, reminding concerned agencies that using books beyond the reach of the masses is hurting the government’s human development programs.