DepEd approves higher fees in 1,246 private schools

Jee Y. Geronimo

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

DepEd approves higher fees in 1,246 private schools
Calabarzon has the most number of schools that will increase their fees, while DepEd approved all applications in 7 regions

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved the increase of tuition and other school fees in 1,246 private schools nationwide for school year 2015-2016. 

DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo announced this on Monday, May 25, as the department started its Oplan Balik Eskwela one week before classes begin on June 1.

The country has a total of 15,831 private schools in basic education. As of May 25, a total of 1,556 applied for an increase in their tuition and other school fees, but DepEd only approved the request of 1,246 schools.

Mateo said the highest approved increase this year is at 29% – lower than last year’s 35%.

REGION NO. OF APPLICATIONS NO. OF APPROVED APPLICATIONS 
I 168 132
II 51 51
III 493 257
IV-A 270 264
IV-B
V 70 70
VI 110 110
VII 170 170
VIII 19 19
IX 4 4
X
XI
XII 30 30
Caraga
CAR
ARMM
NCR 171 139
TOTAL 1,556 1,246

Calabarzon has the most number of schools that will increase their fees, while DepEd approved all applications in 7 regions (Regions II, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XII).

“‘Yung matataas na ‘yung tuition fee, mas maliliit ang percentage increase, samantalang ‘yung mabababa, yun naman ang malaki, and understandable kasi naghahabol sila,” Mateo said.

(Schools that already have high tuition fees will increase by a smaller percentage, while those with low tuition fees wil increase by a higher percentage, and that’s understandable because they’re trying to catch up.)

One of the main issues that private schools contend with is the “migration” of their teachers to public schools. (INFOGRAPHIC: How much are public school teachers getting?)

“‘Yung teachers nila nagma-migrate sa public school kasi mataas ‘yung s’weldo ng public school e, samantalang ‘yung pinapas’weldo nila napakababa. If they want to retain their teachers, they have to increase [tuition],” Mateo added. 

(Their teachers migrate to public school because of higher salaries, compared to their salaries that are very low. If they want to retain their teachers, they have to increase [tuition].) 

DepEd’s 2010 Manual of Regulations for Private Schools requires that no increase in tuition and other school fees will be approved unless 70% of the proceeds is allocated for the salary increase of the school’s faculty and other employees.

The rest can be allotted for institutional development, student assistance, and return to investments, but the latter should not exceed 12% of the incremental proceeds.

Schools which applied for an increase in fees had to submit the following requirements:

  1. Statement with proposed increases
  2. Tax return from BIR
  3. Financial statement signed by a certified public accountant
  4. Minutes of consultation with parents and student government

About 23 million students will go back to school this June, with 2 million of them expected to enroll in private schools. – Rappler.com

Classroom image from Shutterstock

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Jee Y. Geronimo

Jee is part of Rappler's Central Desk, handling most of the world, science, and environment stories on the site. She enjoys listening to podcasts and K-pop, watching Asian dramas, and running long distances. She hopes to visit Israel someday to retrace the steps of her Savior.