How tuition fee hikes benefit teachers, staff of PH private schools

Think tuition hikes are just a way for schools to make more money? Think again.

- MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

In Philippine private schools, tuition fee increases are not arbitrary-they're carefully regulated.

A large portion of any approved hike - 70 percent - is allocated for increases in teachers and staff, salaries, professional development, retirement pay and other employee benefits. It assures a funding source or provisioning for inflationary pressure of the times. It is not a direct benefit to be taken in the form of raw cash but rather the fund source and a guarantee for its availability as allocated and determined by the universities.

In other words, your fees don't just support the school-but rather they help maintain the wellbeing of the people who make your education possible, ensuring quality teaching while promoting transparency and accountability.

Under the rules of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), at least 70 percent of any approved increase must go to employees.

This ensures that faculty and staff benefit, rather than the institution pocketing the revenue.

The regulation also protects workers, encourages transparency, and clarifies the purpose of tuition adjustments.

How CHED regulates tuition increases

CHED only approves tuition hikes after schools consult students, faculty, and other stakeholders.

The process is guided by the Higher Education Act of 1994 (Republic Act 7722) and CHED Memorandum Order No. 03, Series of 2012, also known as the Enhanced Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures on Tuition and Other School Fees.