COMMISSION  on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero ‘Popoy’ De Vera III has called on the universities all over the country to stop charging unnecessary fees for the new school year.

“Humingi rin tayo ng tulong ng mga universities na kung may mga miscellaneous fees na hindi talaga kailangan i-suspend muna ‘yung pangongolekta for this school year,”  De Vera III said in an interview.

He added that universities can collect the  fees during the second semester in January 2021 when the limited face-to-face classes may already be possible.

“Pakikiusapan natin sila na kung pwede, baka ‘yan ay kailangan na nila ‘yan next school year, kung ma-control na natin ang Covid19 at magkaroon ng limited face-to-face, marami ring gastos associated ‘yan,” he said.

Students and parents have questioned some fees for facilities which are not essential in online classes such as laboratories and libraries, among others.

De Vera III added universities and colleges should inform students and parents of the new expenses under the new normal teaching scheme.

The CHED will release a ‘recommended list’ of fees that universities could use as a guide under the flexible learning system.

Many colleges and universities were supposed to start their classes on August 24, while others will open the school year  in early September. However, the DepEd announced yesterday that the opening of classes for both public and private schools was reset to the 5th of October 2020, except for those private institutions who have already started their blended learning methods or have scheduled the start of classes earlier than October 5, 2020 and provided that they would strictly observe the maximum standard of health protocols.