DepEd approves tuition hike for 244 private schools

MANILA, Philippines - At least 244 private elementary and high schools, including in Metro Manila and in Yolanda-devastated areas in Eastern Visayas, were allowed to increase their tuition rates for the coming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported yesterday.

DepEd approved the petitions for tuition hike of 172 schools in the metropolis, 23 in Region 12, 21 in Region 4B, 12 in Region 2, 11 in Region 8, three in Region 9, and two in Region 13.

Tuition rates in Metro Manila will increase by eight percent, in Region 2 by 9.55 percent and 5.80 percent in Region 4B, DepEd said, adding it is still waiting for reports from other regions.

Data showed a total of 285 schools from the National Capital Region, and Regions 2, 4B, 8, 9, 12, and 13 have filed petitions for tuition hike.

In Eastern Visayas, at least 19 schools applied for tuition increase but only 11 were approved.

DepEd said there are 933 secondary schools and 2,118 kindergarten and elementary schools in Metro Manila.

DepEd assistant secretary Tonisito Umali said the additional fees would be used to raise teachers’ salaries and improve school facilities.

Umali said they expect fewer private elementary and high schools to raise tuition this school year than last year.

“The number of approved requests did not exceed 10 percent of the total number of schools. Only one in 10 private schools has increased tuition,” he said.

Umali said some school officials are worried that any increase in fees may cause an exodus of their students to other institutions with lower tuition rate.

Earlier, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said a total of 353 private universities and colleges have filed petitions for an increase in tuition and other fees this coming school year.

Metro Manila has the most number of private high schools seeking tuition hike with 74.

None of the 81 private tertiary schools in Region 8 applied for an increase.

Last year, 354 private universities and colleges and 903 elementary and high schools raised their tuition and other fees.