Saturday, May 10, 2008 85% of private high schools in Davao to hike tuition
EIGHTY-five percent of private high schools in Davao City will increase their tuition and miscellaneous fees for the school year 2008-2009 but the Department of Education (DepEd) in the region said this will not result to a massive exodus of students from private to public schools this June.
"I do not think so because usually students would stick to the schools where they started schooling except for extreme reasons," Dr. Susana Teresa Estigoy, Regional Director of DepEd-Southern Mindanao, said Friday.
But Dr. Fidel Japos, Assistant Chief for Secondary Education, did not discount this possibility especially with the soaring prices of commodities.
"It is possible, but mostly, these manifest in the rural areas where even small private schools are beyond the financial reach of the masses," Japos said.
Estigoy, on the other hand, said that DepEd does not approve requests for increase unless there is proof of consultation with the parents.
"They have to submit, with their application, a copy of the minutes of the consultation with the parents," Estigoy said.
Dr. Luzminda Onor, Chief of the Secondary Education Division, in a text message, said the schools do not apply for an increase yearly.
"Ang iba every three years but still they inform us how much the fees are every year even if they do not apply for increase," Onor said.
Data gathered from DepEd shows that in the city, the Davao Wisdom Academy has the highest increase in terms of percentage at 20 percent.
Davao Wisdom Academy, however, has an annual rate of P8,856, thus the 20 percent increase is equivalent to P1,171.
In terms of actual amount, on the other hand, the Philippine Women's College has the highest increase ranging from P2,430 to P2,547 or 18 percent of the current rate ranging from P14,154 to P16,208.
The Ateneo De Davao University only has a six percent increase to the their current fees ranging from P29,948 to P31,725.
Only six out of the 40 private high schools in the city did not apply for a tuition fee increase. These are Emar Learning Center, Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines, Holy Cross of Bunawan, Mats College of Technology, San Lorenzo College of Davao, and the Sunday School Program of the Davao Wisdom Academy.
Others that asked for increase in school fees include the International Christian School of Davao, Southern Philippines Polytechnic College, Assumption College of Davao (Regular), Assumption College of Davao (Sunday School), Tecarro College Foundation, Holy Cross College of Mintal, Davao Christian High School, Rizal Special Education Learning Center, Holy Cross of Davao College, University of the Immaculate Conception, St. Peter's College of Toril, Ford Academy of the Arts, Colegio de San Ignacio, Thompson Christian School, General Baptist Bible College, Jose Maria College, Holy Cross Academy of Sasa (Regular), Holy Cross Academy of Sasa (Sunday School), Our Lady of Fatima Academy, UM Main, UM Ilang Tibungco, Southpoint, Holy Child School of Davao-Mintal, Holy Child School of Davao-Jacinto, St. Therese College of Science and Technology, Davao Central Higb School and Holy Cross of Agdao. (GLP)
