By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the request of 15 higher education institutions (HEIs)in Western Mindanao for increase in tuition fee for the coming school year, CHED-9 Regional Director Juanito Demetrio said.
Director Demetrio said 15 out of 16 HEIs were given the green light to increase their tuition fees, the other one was disapproved due to late submission of requirements to his office.
“The final listing of schools approved was given to the Central Office.
The increase will be discussed with the stakeholders in the coordination with the student governments, faculties, administrations, and it could also be with the presidents,” Demetrio said.
He said this year’s average increase of 4.30 percent is lower than last year’s 6 percent. He also quickly pointed out that out of the 16 HEIs in the region, only eight of them implemented tuition fee hike last year, making it understandable for the rest of the schools to ask for increase this year.
The newly installed CHED-9 regional director also explained that the increase will be prorated using the 70-20-10 arrangement.
“Seventy percent will go to the teachers’ salaries, 20 percent will be for the improvement of the school laboratory, physical plan and library, and lastly, the 10 percent will be the return of investments of the school owners,” Demetrio said.
Demetrio said they had carefully evaluated all documents of the different schools regarding their request for tuition fee increase and deemed it acceptable. He added that his office is open to parents and students who wish to ask or be enlightened about the increase. (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST, with news from Shie Jie D.J. Manuel and Ruarfeb L.
