Baguio City, Philippines – The impending increase on tuition and other fees (TOFI) could force students in Cordillera to enroll in private universities and colleges.
At least 13 private universities and colleges in the region passed board resolutions for tuition adjustments after the five-year moratorium on tuition rate hikes lapsed in 2022, based on the report of Commission on Higher Education - Cordillera.
Of the higher education institution that applied for tuition hikes ranging from 3 percent to 10 percent, eight are in Baguio City, three in Kalinga, and one each in Benguet and Abra.
Among these are the University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, Easter College, BCT Colleges, Baguio Central University, AMA Computer College, STI College, and University of the Cordilleras in Baguio; Kalinga College of Science and Technology, Institute of Science in Asia Pacific, and Saint Louis College of Bulanao in Kalinga; BVS Colleges in Benguet; and Abra Valley Colleges.
Benguet State University is likewise planning to do the same for the additional building and equipment. Tuition in this school, however, is free due to the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017.”
According to Regional Director, Dr. Demetrio Anduyan Jr., 70 percent of the rate should be allotted for faculty members, staff, and other non-teaching personnel’s pay; 20 percent should be for the improvement of facilities, equipment, and laboratories while 10 percent will go to the institution. This, he underscored, is based on the CHED memorandum.
The looming tuition hike in Baguio universities is said to be the highest to be implemented, in case of approval.
The proposed increase, stressed CHED, remains pending as it will require a nod from stakeholders.
From late April to May, students of Baguio universities have been protesting the “unjust” hike, citing the current economic condition of the region.
CHED Memorandum 3, series of 2012 requires student councils and faculty members to be consulted before such implementation. UC and SLU students claim they were not consulted on the 10 percent and 9 percent hike, respectively.
Still, the said commission is confident that more students will enroll in the upcoming school year.
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