MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Tuesday that students in state colleges and universities who have paid their tuition ahead of President Gloria Arroyos order to freeze tuition hike can ask for refund.
GMA news Saksi reported that students at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines the university in the country with the lowest tuition amounting to just P12 per unit - were complaining that freshmen's tuition has increased about 50 percent.
This, according to the PUP student council, was because of additional fees such as the development fee" intended for the maintenance of the campus.
Itong enrolment ng freshmen nag-increase ng 50 percent ang binayaran na tuition ng bawat estudyante dahil sa mga idinagdag na miscellaneous fee (Tuition for freshmen has increased by 50 percent because of miscellaneous charges)," said Krsihna Ayuso, councilor, PUP Student Council.
The PUP student council wanted a tuition roll back or refund for the excess charges.
CHED officials have said that tuition refund is possible based on President Arroyos order.
Since enrolment is already done, we are suggesting either to refund the students or credit them for the incremental amount charged to them," said Usec. Nona Ricafort, CHED commissioner.
However, she clarified that Mrs Arroyos order was only applicable to new fees. Increase in tuition, which was imposed last year, is not covered by the order.
Private schools and universities are not included in the tuition hike moratorium.
According to the CHED, about 79 private schools have signified their intention to increase their tuition, about which the government is helpless" and can only make an appeal to concerned schools.
We are actually strongly appealing to them (private schools) to reconsider their plan," said William Medrano, CHED executive director. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV