Private universities asked to defer tuition collection

“Nahihirapan ang mga magulang at estudyante pumunta sa private universities para magbayad (Parents and students of private universities find it difficult to pay their tuition). I pleaded with private universities for no collection of tuition for this month and for staggered payment of tuition in the next months to help our students,” de Vera said during a Laging Handa press briefing. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman J. Prospero de Vera III on Thursday said the agency has requested private schools not to collect payment for tuition from students until the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is over.

“Nahihirapan ang mga magulang at estudyante pumunta sa private universities para magbayad (Parents and students of private universities find it difficult to pay their tuition). I pleaded with private universities for no collection of tuition for this month and for staggered payment of tuition in the next months to help our students,” de Vera said during a Laging Handa press briefing.

He reported that the University of Perpetual Help System and Immaculate Concepcion Institution have immediately responded to his request.

“Kagabi, nakausap ko ang association of private schools, mga 100 private universities, sila daw ay tutulong sa hindi pagkolekta ng (I have talked to the association of private schools last night, about 100 private universities, they said they will not collect) tuition for the one month quarantine and have staggered payments for the succeeding months,” he added.

As for the conduct of online classes, de Vera has already instructed universities to review the delivery system of their online classes since some students experience slow internet connection and are unable to go to internet cafes due to transport mitigation.

He said online or distance learning is not the only option for students to continue their studies.

“Pwedeng magbigay ng assignment, magpasulat ng papel (Provide assignments, require students to write a paper) low-tech communication with students and after a month, assess it. Centro Escolar University and College of St. Benilde, exert extra leniency to the students, adjust lesson delivery mode without compromising standards so we can use this one month properly,” he added.

De Vera also reported that 16 students of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic College who went on an on-the-job training in Boracay have been sent home and are now undergoing self-quarantine.

“Na-mobilize natin and Region 1 and Region 3 offices, nagpadala tayo ng bus at nakuha na po ang mga estudyante kahapon. Pagpapatunay ito na buhay ang (We have mobilized Region 1 and Region 3 offices, we sent a bus and the students were fetched yesterday. This is living proof of the) bayanihan spirit,” he said.

He also advised the parents of Aklan State University students who will be coming from Japan not to worry as CHED will keep them safe and send them to their respective homes.