GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 6 May) – At least 18 private colleges and universities in parts of Region 12 are seeking another round of increases in June in their tuition and related fees.
Evelyn Sotes, tuition fee in-charge of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Region 12, said Friday such number is based on the total number of applications for the fee increases received by the agency for the coming school year 2016-2017.
She said they are currently evaluating the applications based on the guidelines set by their central office.
“We’re mainly checking if they have submitted all the documentary requirements and complied with the regulations regarding the fee increases,” she said in an interview over radio station dxKR.
Sotes said six of these institutions are based in Koronadal City, four in this city, three in Cotabato City, two in North Cotabato, two in Sultan Kudarat and one in South Cotabato.
These are the AMA Computer Learning Center, St. Alexius College, King’s College of Marbel Inc., Notre Dame of Marbel University, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College (RMMC) extension and STI College in Koronadal City; General Santos College Foundation Inc., Joji International College, RMMC main and STI College in this city; Dr. P. Ocampo College, STI College and Notre Dame-RVM College in Cotabato City; Southern Baptist College in M’lang and Southern Christian College in Midsayap in North Cotabato; STI College in Tacurong City and Notre Dame of Salaman College in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; and, Notre Dame Siena College in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
For this year’s fee increase, Sotes said they have set a ceiling of 6.26 percent, which represents the prevailing inflation rate in the region.
CHED requires that the bulk of the applied increase in tuition and other school fees should be allocated to the upgrading of teachers’ and school personnel’s benefits, salaries and allowances.
The applying institutions should also include provisions for the improvement and upgrading of school facilities and equipment.
Sotes said the applicants are also required to consult their students, parents and other concerned groups about their proposed tuition hikes.
The consultations should have proper documentation and must include the minutes of the discussions, attendance sheets and other related documents, she said.
“After our evaluation, we will immediately endorse the applications to our central office for further review and approval,” she added.
In 2015, a total of 17 colleges and universities in the Region implemented an average of five to seven per cent increases in tuition and other matriculation fees as approved by the CHED central office.