‘STOP NA FEES!’: Iloilo students protest planned tuition, fee hikes

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By Juliane Judilla

Students from various private higher education institutions, along with progressive youth groups, staged a picket protest Friday, Feb. 13, in front of West Visayas State University to oppose a planned increase in tuition and other fees.

The groups said they are alarmed by the continuing rise in tuition among private higher education institutions, citing the long-term impact on students and their families.

They said the rising cost of education is making it harder for students to finish their studies, especially as families cope with broader economic pressures.

Under Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 3, Series of 2012, which aligns with Republic Act 7722, or the Higher Education Act, private higher education institutions must consider several factors before raising tuition and other school fees.

The order cites factors such as the regional inflation rate, the institution’s financial standing, students’ financial capacity, the impact of calamities, the school’s quality track record, and its mission and vision.

The demonstrators said many of these factors apply now, citing rising costs for basic goods and services while wages remain low.

“Wages [of parents and workers] are already low, while the prices of basic goods continue to increase. Where will students and parents get the money to pay if tuition fees rise even more?” said former Kabataan Party-list representative Raoul Manuel.

Manuel said that while many services are privatized and education is treated as a commodity, corruption issues continue to plague the country.

Kabataan Party-list Panay said tuition hikes force some private-school students to drop out because they can no longer afford to continue.

The group said the trend worsens problems in the country’s education sector by limiting access to higher education.

“For years, we have been calling for an increase in the education sector’s budget, so that more schools can offer quality education for free. This way, the majority of the youth won’t have to resort to enrolling in private schools and suffer from rising tuition fees, eventually being forced to stop their studies to work and accept low wages,” Arlie Bosque of Kabataan Party-list Panay said.

The protest also served as a call for schools and government agencies to prioritize accessible and affordable education, organizers said.

The groups said they will continue opposing tuition increases and pushing for education reforms.