CHED reviewing tuition hike applications amid pandemic —official

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Saturday said it is still assessing applications of several colleges and universities for tuition hike amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, CHED Executive Director Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro said that as early as March, some higher education institutions have already submitted their applications for tuition increase.

"Ibig sabihin bago pa man nagkaroon ng pandemic, 'yung ibang institutions nagkaroon na ng kahandaan para mag-increase ng tuition fees," Benitez-Jaro said.

The CHED official, however, noted that since the onset of the pandemic in the country "majority of higher education institutions have not increased their tuition fees."

"May mga iba pa rin na nagre-request na makapag-increase pero pinag-aaralan pa namin sa Komisyon," she said.

According to her, the higher education regulatory body is ensuring that any tuition hike shall be properly disseminated to students.

"Ang ginagawa po namin ay sinuguro na ang mga estudyante ang na-inform ng mga higher education institution na kung anoman ang dapat i-increase sa tuition fees at bakit sa kabila ng pandemiya na ito," she added.

Meanwhile, Benitez-Jaro noted that the CHED is still collating data on the number of students who have enrolled in colleges and universities for the School Year 2020-2021.

She reminded higher education institutions to strictly follow health protocols in the upcoming academic year and employ any modes of learning applicable, such as online, offline or face-to-face, or blended approach.

"Ang mode of learning ay nakadepende pa rin sa kapasidad ng mga institusyon, mga estudyante... dapat ma-continue pa rin ang learning despsite the pandemic," she said. —LBG, GMA News