MILITANT youth group Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan warned about the possible new round of tuition and miscellaneous fee increases following the approval of Malacanang to partially resume face-to-face classes for medicine and allied health programs.

In a statement, the youth group demanded the Commission on Higher Education to issue a memorandum order that will temporarily prohibit university administrators to raise tuition and other fees until the pandemic induced economic slump is over.

SPARK asserts in order for medical and science schools to successfully transition to partial face-to-face classes without raising their fees, the national government must subsidize the makeover of campus facilities in line with the health protocols set by the inter-agency task force.

The group said the retrofitting of classrooms and laboratories could be capital intensive, and physical distancing protocols would require a wider space to hold classes and lesser students can be accommodated.

“Need we remind the CHED that their mandate requires them to ensure accessibility of higher education. The issuance of a memorandum order to prohibit tuition hikes is required to ensure that financial incapability specially during this pandemic will not hinder anyone from acquiring a degree,” John Lazaro, the group’s spokesperson, said.

“To require schools to conform with health protocols must not lead to the passing of the buck to students and their families in the form of tuition fee hikes. The government must align funds if it is truly serious in efficiently addressing the 78,400 national backlog of doctors,” he added.

The group called on the national government to prioritize the vaccination of medical and allied health students before the partial face-to-face classes begin.

It also urged local governments to ensure the necessary retrofitting and health protocols be strictly enforced at the school surroundings. These spaces include dormitories, canteens, and computer shops.

“There is no point of going through all the pains of retrofitting campuses if other spaces where students converge don’t follow suit,” Lazaro said.