Cebu students hold pickets as CHED-7 endorses tuition hikes for 37 schools

The Commission on Higher Education in Central Visayas has endorsed the applications of 37 higher education institutions for a tuition hike this school year.

CHED Region 7 director Dr. Fredie Bernal said his office submitted the applications to the CHED central office, GMA Cebu's Alan Domingo reported Thursday.

But students held a protest at the CHED-7's office in the city on Wednesday over the looming tuition hike.

"Sa ngayon i-submit na yan namin sa CHED central office, but as far as we are concerned, i-endorse na namin dun for confirmation na for confirmation na approved na yang 37 higher education institutions na nag-apply for tuition increase," Bernal said.

He said 41 HEIs had applied for a tuition hike but four were denied.

Bernal also pointed out the 37 are just 23 percent of 158 higher education institutions in Central Visayas.

CHED also explained the 37 schools had completed the requirements in their applications for a tuition hike.

Bernal said the tuition hike would have 70 percent going to wages of teaching and non-teaching personnel, including their benefits.

Protest

At Wednesday's protest, students and teachers from the Rise for Education Alliance condemned the CHED's decision to allow 37 schools to raise tuition.

"(Narito) kami ngayon, mga estudyante, mga guro, para kondinahin ang pagka-inutil ng CHED na nag resulta sa pag-approve sa 37 na mga paaralan sa kanilang tuition ... Masakit isipin na kanila pang ipinagtanggol ang mga paaralan na ang sabi ay meron daw silang tamang basehan ang pagtaas ng tuition dahil para daw ito sa salary increase," said the group's Ken Ecarma.

Ecarma also said that while there were consultations on the matter, the students were not informed.

"Merong konsultasyon na ginawa ang bawa't paaralan pero marami ang pagkakamali na nagawa katulad ng hindi pag-inform sa mga estudyante," he said.

Protest vs. K to 12

The protesters also picketed the Department of Education to register their disapproval for the K to 12 program.

Supporting them were the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

"Bilang isang magulang na may anak na nag-aaral sa kolehiyo, kami apektado sa mga increase sa tuition lalo na sa sweldo sa mga empleyado sa gobyerno o maging sa pribado, walang pagbabago," ACT president Antonia Lim said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News