ABOUT 50 private elementary schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) have already filed their application with the Department of Education (DepEd)-NCR to increase their tuition this coming school year.
The tuition increase may range from two to 10 percent this school year, according to DepEd-NCR Director Teresita Domalanta.
“We expect any increase in that range since the school owners know that any increase beyond that would result in a decline in their enrolment,” said Domalanta.
According to Domalanta, 53 private elementary schools have already filed their petition.
She said they are still updating the petition filed by secondary schools. The deadline for the submission of the petition is on May 15.
There are around 1,000 private elementary and secondary schools in Metro Manila.
The education department said it allows school to increase their tuition provided it is in accordance with their regulation and that majority of the increase would go to the upgrading of schools equipment and salaries of the teachers.
“They (private schools) should show us in detail where and how would they use the increase, and they should consult first with the parents and other education stakeholders,” Domalanta said.
She said her office will strictly monitor compliance with the 70-20-10 requirements, namely, that 70 percent of any tuition increase should go to the upgrading of school equipments, 20 percent for the acquisition of textbooks and other equipment and 10 percent for salary upgrade of the faculty.
Among the schools that have already filed their petition were the Saint Theresa College, Saint Joseph College, Trinity University of Asia, and Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City.
In Manila, the Malate Catholic School is asking for an 11 percent increase followed by the University of the East and Letran which are both seeking a 10 percent increase.
Other private elementary schools with tuition increases include the Immaculate Concepcion Academy, Aquinas School, and Dominican School in the cities of Pasig and San Juan; and Jose Rizal College and Lourdes School in Mandaluyong City.
The Las Piñas College, Batasan Chunan Christian School and Southeastern College are asking for as much as 20 percent. (AH/Sunnex)
