The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted the request of 304 private higher education institutions (HEIs) to increase their tuition and other school fees for academic year 2016 to 2017.s of Monday, June 6, the CHED has allowed 280 out of the 304 private HEIs that applied to increase tuition fees, and 252 to increase other school fees for the incoming school year. The Philippines has a total of 1,659 private HEIs.

“CHED’s approach to the issue of tuition is holistic. In the light of contending concerns and interests in society, there is a need to balance access issues with sustainability of educational institutions,” said CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan. “For its part, CHED ensures that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law, especially the requirement of consultation, the proper allocation of tuition fees and strict adherence with the processes that seek to make tuition and other school fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable,” she added.

The list of HEIs allowed to implement hikes has yet to be released. CHED said it is guided by various measures, including the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act that provides for the breakdown on where private schools should allocate the increases. The law states that 70 percent of the increase should be for the increase of salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel; 20 percent for improvement of facilities and 10 percent for return on investment.