Press Release
November 13, 2011

ANGARA URGES CHED TO MONITOR AND REGULATE INCREASES IN TUITION AND OTHER FEES

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to closely monitor and regulate excessive miscellaneous fees and other hidden charges imposed by some universities and colleges, which is believed to be a major factor in increasing dropout rates.

Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Culture and Arts, stressed the need to set a maximum limit on the imposition of tuition adjustments to prevent unreasonable, excessive and unjust increases in tuition and other school charges.

"Short of putting a cap on tuition or other fees, we must draw up a uniform classification of miscellaneous fees that should be allowed. Those who will not comply with the rules may face sanctions," said Angara.

Based on the recently released 2010 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) by the National Statistics Office, one out of eight Filipinos between the ages of six and 24 are out of school.

The same record shows that among the top reasons given by respondents are due to "high cost of education" and "looking for work."

The former UP President said that data shows an alarming decline in our educational system, citing that an almost 100 percent enrolment rate in 1990 was down to 85 percent in 2008, almost 25 percent of enrolees dropped out before the 5th grade, and in the same year out-of school children between the ages of 6-11 breached the 1 million mark.

Over the long term, he said that a legislative measure addressing miscellaneous fees in higher education institutions (HEI's) should be crafted.

"Disparity between the cost of private and public education is growing greater. Private colleges now cost five to ten times more than our state colleges and universities. We must make higher education more accessible --not less attainable--for Filipino students," said Angara.

News Latest News Feed