No tuition hike for Yolanda-hit schools

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—None of the 81 private colleges and universities in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) which suffered the most from Supertyphoon “Yolanda” last November have indicated that they will increase their tuition and other fees this school year.

As of this week, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has not received letters of intent from private colleges and universities in Region 8, seeking clearance to increase their fees.

Many schools in Metro Manila and other regions, however, are seeking clearances to increase tuition and other school fees, although the number is fewer than those that sought increases last year.

While last year 451 tertiary schools sought clearance to increase their fees, this time 353 private colleges and universities notified CHEd of their intention to increase fees.

Of these, 333 schools intend to increase their fees for all levels while 20 want to increase rates only for freshmen and new students.

CHEd is expected to announce the approved fee increases by the end of the month.

Private colleges and universities from other disaster-devastated regions in the Visayas want to increase their fees in the coming school year.

In Central Visayas (Region 7) which was struck by a powerful earthquake last October and by typhoon Yolanda last November, 21 out of the 126 private tertiary schools there want to increase their fees.

In Western Visayas (Region 6) which also felt Yolanda’s destruction, 25 of the 78 private tertiary schools there sought a fee increase.

For this coming school year, 74 Metro Manila colleges and universities sought an increase.

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