INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Student leaders from several universities are calling on the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to impose a moratorium on tuition and other fee increases proposed by private schools.
In a position paper submitted to CHEd, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) cited “skyrocketing prices, falling family incomes, and growing economic volatility” in their appeal for a tuition hike moratorium.
“According to government data, the annual cost of higher education can reach up to P150,000 — this is nowhere near the capacity of a Filipino household earning minimum wage,” Joshua Aquiler, spokesperson for the NUSP, told a press conference on Monday.
Based on their research, Aquiler said only nine out of 10 students who enter primary school finish their studies and out of this number, only seven would pursue secondary education.
Out of seven, only six are able to graduate from high school while only two would continue to higher education.
More than doubled
“These figures show the worsening state of our education system — at this point, the national government is treating education nowhere near a universal right,” he said.
In their position paper, the NUSP cited CHEd’s data, which showed that from 10.49 percent in the academic year 2019-2020, the average tuition rate jumped to 12.06 percent from 2020 to 2021.
From 12.55 percent in 2019 to 2020, the average rate of other school fees more than doubled to 30.39 percent in 2020 to 2021, the group said.
For 2021 to 2022, the tuition increase was 4.74 percent and the other school fees rate was 10.61 percent.
Despite the lack of physical classes during the pandemic, the NUSP said the students still shouldered the burden of miscellaneous fees as they had to pay laboratory, internet, gym, and cultural fees, among others.
“In Saint Louis University, students reportedly had to pay around P1,000 to P1,500 for each printed module they needed,” the group said.
In a separate position paper, students of the University of the East acknowledged that the purpose of a tuition increase was intended to improve the services and facilities in the institution.
However, the students said the current state of the facilities and academic instructions did not justify the proposed fee hikes.
Meanwhile, Barangay Health and Wellness party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co on Monday opposed proposals to revert to a June school opening, pointing out that the rainy season was more disruptive to kids’ learning.