President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to freeze all tuition fee increases in the 110 state-run colleges and universities nationwide. This is inorder to help students and parents cope with the global rise in oil and food prices.
The President issued her directive at the start of the command conference with education officials and Oplan Balik Eskwela partners.
She also appealed to private colleges and universities to reconsider and freeze plans to hike tuition and other school charges.
The President said the freeze on tuition fees would greatly help ease the financial burden of students and their parents.
At present, parents are spending an average of P450 per unit, or about P10,000 per school year for their children taking a 21-unit load in college.
The Chief Executive said shelving tuition fee increases in SUCs and private institutions of learning would also help reduce the college dropout rate and set off an environment conducive to quality tertiary education for all.
An estimated 21.66 million enrollees are expected to troop to the various schools nationwide when classes open on June 10. (PIA/Bohol)
