Students and youth leaders launched a campaign last week that will monitor tuition fee increases in Cebu.
Pamelle Gallardo, representative of the National Union of the Philippines, said students can report their concerns through cellphone hotline 0932-2346496,
Facebook page “Tuition Monitor-Cebu” or e-mail thematnuspcebu@gmail.com.
The group Tuition Monitor-Cebu will help gather data on tuition and other fees collected in public and private schools.
“So far, the data that we have for this school year is that around 28 schools in Cebu have implemented tuition fee increase,” Gallardo said.
These schools imposed an average hike of eight percent or P53.15 per unit as approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) .
Niño Olayvar, vice president of Anakbayan Visayas, said that as soon as they receive students’ concerns, they will provide assistance especially during theconsultation process.
“There should be a proper consultation when a school wants to implement a tuition fee increase,” he said.
A common reason cited by schools for tuition fee increases is to increase the teachers’ salaries.
Olayvar said they want to lessen the nationwide dropout rate, which is currently placed at 40 percent in the secondary and college levels.