Only 3% of Metro Manila private schools hiked tuition

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) said that only a minimal number of private elementary and high schools raised tuition fees for school year 2009-2010, easing problems of a surge in migration of students from private to public schools.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said only three percent of private schools in Metro Manila had raised tuition fees, a big dip from last year’s 17 percent.

Those that raised tuition fees include 50 elementary schools and 33 high schools.

Among these are De La Salle Greenhills; Assumption College Makati City; St. Scholastica’s College-Manila; Saint Rita College Manila; St. Jude Catholic School Manila; St. Stephen’s High School; International Christian School-Novaliches, Quezon City; Angelicum College; St. Theresa’s College-Quezon City; School of Saint Anthony-Quezon City; Holy Spirit School in Cubao, Quezon City; St. James College of Quezon City; St. James Academy-Malabon City; Makati Hope Christian School; Notre Dame of Greater Manila; La Consolacion College-Caloocan; University of the East and Jose Rizal University.  

6% to 10% increase

In regions outside of Metro Manila, Lapus said that only two percent of private schools had hiked tuition fees compared to last year’s 27 percent.

The range of tuition increase was from six to 10 percent.

“It’s within the range of our national inflation rate,” he said.

He added that the DepEd welcomes the low number of private schools hiking their tuition fees since it means that there would be no massive migration from private schools to public schools of students whose parents cannot afford the increasing tuition.