KABATAAN Party-list has raised alarm over what it described as incidents of student repression and “bogus” administrative consultations in several private universities, allegedly aimed at fast-tracking tuition and fee increases for the next academic year.

Kabataan Party-list condemned reported violations of Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) policies against students who have been speaking out and mobilizing against proposed tuition hikes.

One cited case involved the Cebu Institute of Technology, where dozens of students who petitioned for a public consultation on a proposed 12-percent tuition increase were allegedly threatened with expulsion.

The group noted that students were merely seeking compliance with consultation requirements under Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 3, series of 2012, which mandates schools to conduct proper consultations before implementing tuition adjustments.

Kabataan also pointed out that the alleged actions violate Cebu City’s Students’ Rights and Welfare Ordinance.

It cited Section 6 of the ordinance, which upholds students’ right to form and join organizations, and Section 13, which guarantees their right to freely express views and peacefully assemble to air grievances.

Assistant Minority Leader and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co criticized school officials for allegedly targeting students instead of engaging in dialogue.

“Instead of attacking the students, university officials should be open to dialogue and listen to the concerns of ordinary students and their families,” Co said.

The group said reports of intimidation have increased as the Feb. 28 deadline set by CHED for private universities to submit tuition hike applications approaches.

Co further accused university owners of silencing students to secure higher profits, claiming such incidents recur annually and are tolerated by regulators and the administration of Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr..

Kabataan called on CHED to investigate what it described as “fake and rushed” consultations intended to justify tuition and other fee increases.

“Students’ fundamental rights should not disappear once they put on their school uniforms. CHED must probe these sham consultations used to railroad tuition hikes,” Co said.

The party-list group vowed to continue monitoring cases of alleged rights violations as universities move forward with proposed fee adjustments for the coming academic year.