Photo taken from rappler.com
Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) will officially implement a 5.67% increase in tuition fee and 2.31% increase in other school fees for the upcoming academic year 2016-2017.
From around P1,394 per unit, the tuition fee will increase to around P1,474. On the other hand, the other school fees will increase from P1,670.13 to P1,697. The said hikes are based on the 6.57% Education Deflator in the region for the year 2016, which measures the average cost of providing education services.
In Region XI, around 24 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will increase their tuition fees next school year with AdDU having one of the highest increases based on the list provided by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
According to the CHED Memorandum Order No. 3, s. 2012, better known as the Enhanced Policies, Guidelines and Procedures Governing Increases in Tuition and Other School Fees, Introduction of New Fees and for other purposes, 70% of the incremental proceeds of tuition fee increases shall be used for the benefit of teaching and non-teaching personnel and other staff, except for those who are principal stockholders of the HEI.
Various students have different opinions and thoughts regarding the fee increases. For Josephe Marie Balaud, an incoming fourth year Education student, the increase can be considered reasonable.
“Dapat ma-feel namo na reasonable ang pag-increase sa tuition. Dapat makita gyud namo ang difference ug improvements,” she said.
On the other hand, Ivy Jean Tupas from Buklurang Atenista (Buklat) expressed her disappointment with the said hike.
“Masasabing mapanlinlang ang proposal. Five percent lamang na increase ang kanilang inilahad sa amin noong consultation di umano. Ngunit, makikita na ang 5% ay naging 5.67% na,” she said.
Tupas also added that since the said increase was already approved, she advised the students to be more watchful with the services given to them.
“Unang-una, kami, sa Buklurang Atenista ay nanghihinayang dahil tila bigo kaming mapaintindi pa sa mas malawak na hanay ng masang estudyante kung gaano kahalaga ang sama-samang pagkilos lalo na sa mga usaping ito. Naririyan pa ang takot nilang makilahok sa pagtutol sa mga ganitong usapin.
“Tiyak, hindi ito ang huling pagkakataon na magkakaroon ng TOFI. Asahang sa susunod ay mas magiging handa na ang mga estudyante sa pagganap sa kanilang tungkulin bilang mga masang estudyante sa pamantayang ito,” Tupas added.
Meanwhile, in his Facebook post, SAMAHAN Central Board (SCB) Pres. John Chin expressed that he hopes students would accept the said issue with “an open mind.”
“Masakit tanggapin ang mga pagbabago, pero haharapin natin ito ng buong puso at tiwala sa sarili at sa kasama. Di ka nag-iisa,” he stated.