17% of private HEIs nationwide cleared for tuition hike

Photo from the internet | Report from, JCA via f RH news

Puilippines - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has said it approved the applications of 304 of 1,659 private higher education institutions (HEIs) for increase of tuition and other school fees for Academic Year (AY) 2016-2017.

This developed after 471st Joint Management Committee and Commission En Banc meeting of CHED.

Of the 304 HEIs, 280 or 17% of private HEIs nationwide will increase tuition. 252 or 15% of private HEIs will increase other school fees this year.

CHED chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan said across the private HEIs with approved increases in either tuition or other school fees, the average increase in tuition is 5.10% or the equivalent of PhP43.39 per unit, while increase in other school fees is 5.41% or PhP115.58.

Considering the total population of private HEIs, the average increase in tuition or other school fees is less than 1%. These increases vary depending on the HEI and the region, according to Licuanan.

In regions with the highest number of HEIs, the average per unit increase in tuition is PhP68.44 or 5% for NCR, PhP23.39 or 3.2% for Region IV-A, and PhP33.41 or 6.14% for Region III.

For other school fees, the increases are PhP57.52 or 5.14% for NCR, PhP138.36 or 3.22% for Region IV-A and PhP487.71 or 5.28% for Region III.

In deciding on the reasonableness of tuition and other school fees, CHED is guided by: First, Section 42 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 or the “Education Act of 1982” which provides that, “each private school shall determine its rate of tuition and other school fees or charges… subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports” (now DepEd, TESDA and CHED).

Second, Republic Act 6728 or the “Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act”, which requires HEIs, for every incremental tuition increase, to allocate 70% of the increase for the payment of salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel; 20% for the improvement and/or acquisition of facilities, or modernization of buildings, equipment, libraries, laboratories and other similar facilities and the payment of other costs of operation; and 10% for the return on investment if they are stock corporations, otherwise, the remainder is to be utilized for the operation of the institution.


Third, CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 3, series of 2012 or the “Enhanced Policies, Guidelines and Procedures Governing Increases in Tuition and Other School Fees, Introduction of New Fees, and for Other Purposes,” which takes into account the following factors: regional inflation rate, financial standing of the institution, financial capacity of the general studentry, impact of force majeure or calamities, quality track record of the school, and the mission and vision of the institution.


Fourth, the “education deflator”, which measures the average cost of providing education services based on the regional inflation rate. The use of this framework will be further strengthened and fine-tuned in the coming years.


CHED’s approach to the issue of tuition is holistic. In the light of contending concerns and interests in society, there is a need to balance access issues with sustainability of educational institutions. For its part, CHED ensures that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law, especially the requirement of consultation, the proper allocation of tuition fees, and strict adherence with the processes that seek to make tuition and other school fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable. (JCA)