SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – As school opening approaches, private colleges and universities have started to express their intent to increase their tuition fees for school year 2014-2015.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Friday, May 9, said 353 out of 1,683 private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country submitted letters of intent to increase their Tuition and Other School Fees (TOSF).
This number of applicants is lower than in 2013, when 451 colleges and universities applied for the increase. The CHED approved 78% or 354 petitions on May 27, 2013.
Some of the HEIs wish to increase their TOSF for all levels, while some want to increase fees only for transferees and incoming freshmen.
Most of these schools are located in Metro Manila.
What the law says
In 2013, CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan admitted all they could do was discourage private HEIs from increasing their tuition fees. “They need that and it’s their right in the law,” she said. (READ: Public colleges to freeze tuition hikes?)
Section 42 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 or the Education Act of 1982 allows private schools to “determine its rate of tuition and other school fees or charges…subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports” (now Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and CHED).
Other regulations – such as Republic Act 6728, and CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 13, s. 1998 and CMO 3, s. 2012 – require HEIs to allocate 70% of every incremental tuition increase for the salaries, wages, allowances, and other benefits of both teaching and non-teaching personnel.
Twenty percent should go to the improvement, acquisition, and modernization of school facilities, while 10% may be allotted for the return on investment for HEIs that are stock corporations.
The commission will ensure every HEI meets guidelines provided by law – especially consultation and the allocation of tuition fees – to make tuition fee increases “transparent, reasonable and affordable.”
CHED regional offices were instructed to submit to CHED’s central office a verified and approved list of the private HEIs allowed to increase their TOSF on or before May 15. – Rappler.com
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