Paras Ralhan, a Humber international student, believes the suggested five per cent tuition hike recommended by Ontario’s advisory committee on colleges and universities would hurt students.
“The college should help the students. They should do something for them,” Ralhan said. “Is there any program where international students can fill out a survey or do something else to get [a decrease] in their studies?”
Paras Ralhan, an international student in the Business Management program at Humber. Ralhan speaks on how the five per cent tuition hike will challenge him. Photo credit: Krishna Bhagnathsingh
The Blue Ribbon Panel, Ontario’s advisory committee on colleges and universities, recommended in November that tuition for post-secondary students rise by five per cent, effective September 2024.
This was partly due to inflation, according to its report. They also suggested a two per cent hike in each following year or an increase in the consumer price index percentage.
CEO of Colleges Ontario Marketa Evans said in a Nov. 20 Colleges Ontario press release that the tuition hike was about ensuring students’ access to high-quality education.
“These investments in students’ success will help ensure Ontario’s future workforce has the expertise to succeed in a rapidly evolving labour market,” Evans said.
Harinder Rishi, an international student in the Wireless Telecommunications program at Humber. Rishi speaks on how the tuition hike will impact international students, such as himself. Photo credit: Krishna Bhagnathsingh
For students like Harinder Rishi, an international student in the Wireless Telecommunications program at Humber, this is not the reality.
“[Tuition] matters most to the international students because now the expenditures they have to spend on their journey to Canada, like spending [money] in the colleges in Canada will be more expensive than it was before,” Rishi said.
Rishi said the hike will also affect him despite being in a one-year program at Humber. He will have to work more to handle his fees and to afford his education.
The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is “outraged” by these recommendations, according to their Nov. 20 press release.
The CFS represents over 530,000 students across Canada.
“The justification that students must share the financial burden of already chronically underfunded post-secondary institutions by increasing tuition fees is not only preposterous but also shows a lack of insight and care for students by the government,” the statement said.
As such, students “vehemently reject” the recommendation.
Jill Dunlop, minister of colleges and universities, said in a statement that the report is a major milestone for supporting post-secondary education.
“Our government is carefully reviewing the panel’s recommendations to create a path forward that will continue to strengthen the post-secondary sector,” the statement said.
“Before agreeing to any tuition increases, however, we need to ensure that colleges and universities are taking the necessary steps to ensure that they are operating as efficiently as possible,” it added.
“It’s tough,” Ralhan said. “Five per cent is more. Like you can raise it by one per cent or two [per cent]. It would still be high, but students will think it’s just like one per cent and not five per cent.”
Aniruddha Ghosh, an international student in the Photography program at Humber. Ghosh speaks on how the tuition hike will impact him both in school and out of school. Photo credit: Krishna Bhagnathsingh
Aniruddha Ghosh, an international student, said he is disappointed by the tuition hike and worried about his future.
“I’m not in favour of this five per cent hike, and after hearing this, I’m really disappointed,” Ghosh said. “Now, I’m wondering if I have to work more to get more [money].”
Ghosh said he has been in Canada for three months and has yet to find a job, which poses a problem for him.
“I believe the government should work towards creating more jobs if they are hiking the tuition fees,” Ghosh said.
The government expects to work with post-secondary institutions in the coming weeks regarding these recommendations.