The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has officially announced that there will be no increases in tuition or other school fees for colleges and universities in the upcoming Academic Year 2026-2027. This decision, shared by CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, is a direct response to the national energy emergency declared under Executive Order 110. The government is implementing a unified approach to help families manage financial pressures caused by the ongoing energy crisis and the conflict in the Middle East.
While many higher education institutions requested fee increases to cover their own rising operational costs, CHED has stood firm on protecting family budgets. Regarding these appeals, Chairperson Agrupis stated: “We have received a lot of requests (for tuition and other fee increases.” But we only have one answer. While we recognize the increasing needs of a higher education institution (HEI), we are appealing that this is not the right time to increase tuition.”
For students in public institutions, the harmonization of fees across all state universities and colleges is complete and has been coordinated with the Department of Budget and Management. These institutions continue to operate under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, ensuring that government-funded education remains accessible.
In addition to the tuition freeze, CHED has authorized schools to adopt flexible learning schedules to ensure that education continues without interruption. Universities have been given the authority to implement up to 100 percent online classes as a temporary measure if necessary. This decision is left to the wisdom of individual school leaders, who will determine their readiness to shift to digital platforms based on their institutional capacity and the needs of their students.
Parents can expect that while most schools will maintain a balance of learning modes, only a few will move entirely online. CHED’s primary goal with this memorandum is to safeguard student welfare and maintain high academic standards while navigating the energy emergency. Families are encouraged to stay in close contact with their specific colleges or universities for updates on learning setups and local campus announcements.
With additional report: The Philippine Star, Bella Cariaso
