Catholic schools today defended a move to raise tuition fees as President Benigno Aquino faces criticism over the increases.

Reports say 282 universities and colleges across the country are planning to hike their fees for the next school year, which starts next month.

The Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), through its president Father Greg Banaga, explained the increases are necessary to maintain quality education in Catholic schools.

“We have to do justice to our professors and to our staff and administrators in Catholic schools,” he told Church-run Radio Veritas in an interview.

“The tuition [fees] may be high, but if you look at the amount we spend in educating a Filipino child it is even less than what the state spends in a public school. That’s why we are still more efficient,” Father Banaga said.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said 69 private colleges and universities in Metro Manila alone are expected to raise tuition fees, with St. Luke’s College of Medicine eyeing a 12-percent rise.

The Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, Assumption College and OB Montessori want to increase tuition by 5 percent, while the University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University want increases of 3.75 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.

Angry congressmen have urged Aquino to throw out applications for tuition hikes.

“I hope [he] will address declining access to education due to unabated tuition hikes. This is his first school year as president,” said Congress Representative Raymond Palatino of the Youth party.

“How can poor families send their children to schools when they barely have enough to buy food?” said Rafael Mariano of the Anakpawis party.

“We should expect more dropouts because many college students can no longer afford the high fees,” he said.

PM14262