CHED to block tuition hike

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) vowed yesterday to block moves of colleges and universities to impose astronomical increases in tuition and miscellaneous fees this coming school year.

Bro. Rolando Dizon, CHED chairperson, said that CHED will flex its muscles and employ its regulatory functions under Batas Pambansa 232 or the Higher Learning Institution Deregulation Act of 1982 to stop tuition hikes.

He added that they will be strictly implementing a 10 percent cap on tuition increases this coming school year.

Dizon reminded colleges and universities that while they could impose a 10 percent tuition increase, they need to get the approval of their students and their parents before they can get the CHED's nod.

He explained that the 10 percent cap on tuition is computed based on the inflation rate.

"I think it’s only fair that the maximum increase should be based on the inflation rate as determined by NEDA (National Economic Development Authority)," Dizon said in a press briefing at the CHED central office in Pasig yesterday morning.

"Most of the better schools have been doing this (basing increase on inflation rate) but there are schools that would increase other fees as well," he said, adding that CHED would also start zeroing in on the skyrocketing miscellaneous fees imposed by certain schools.

Dr. Roger Perez, CHED executive director, revealed that there is usually an energy fee, an aircon fee, and a development fee charged to the students.

"These should be covered by the capital outlay of the school and not shouldered by students," Perez said.

Dizon, for his part, said that it has come to CHED’s attention that many schools impose stiff miscellaneous fees as a way of avoiding increasing tuition fee rates.

He said they are currently drawing up guidelines to govern the imposition of tuition fee increase and miscellaneous fees. The new guidelines will hopefully be out next month.