Top schools and universities have applied for the increase of tuition for the coming school year 2009-2010, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles in an interview said 71 high schools and colleges have sought to increase their fees citing the need to increase the salaries of teachers, improve facilities and maintain quality education as main reasons. But he said 41 out of the 71 applicants withdrew their applications when Malacanang asked them to be reasonable in this time of economic crisis. Angeles explained that students from private schools tend to transfer to public schools because their parents can no longer afford their tuition. Topping the list of universities to increase their tuition fees are elite schools Ateneo de Manila University, Mirriam College, Dela Salle University, Assumption College and University of Santo Tomas. Other popular schools in the list are Far Eastern University, Lyceum of the Philippines, Manila Central University, National University, Jose Rizal College, Manila Central University, Manila Law College and National University. Angeles said that state universities will not increase their tuition for the coming school year.. The University of the Philippines, however, after becoming the national university of the country by virtue of RA 9500 in 2008, has plans to increase its tuition fees again. He said the universities intending to increase their tuition must have consulted their teachers, students and parents first and reach an agreement before increasing their fees. A deadline last February was set and said schools and universities are expected to give a written report of the outcome of these consultations by April this year.
