Philippine overseas schools given 1 year to complete requirements

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine schools overseas (PSOs) have been given a one-year leeway to comply with requirements for a permit to operate by the Department of Education (DepEd).

This is part of considerations on constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Feb. 21 memorandum, DepEd said the leeway is available only for PSOs that have pending applications for renewal for school years 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

Aside from PSOs, the leeway is also applicable for those whose applications for government recognition as PSOs were denied but considered for renewal of a permit to operate, those with new applications submitted within the DepEd-prescribed period and those with applications considered new based on justified reasons such as absence of a permit during the previous school year.

“In the exigency of the service and to avoid undue displacement of learners, PSOs falling under any one of the criteria shall be granted a period of one year from the publication date of this memorandum to comply with the requirements for the issuance of permit to operate,” the memorandum read.

Meanwhile, all PSOs for SY 2024-2025 and onwards need to submit to DepEd their application for a permit to operate at least six months before classes start.

PSOs are educational institutions operating outside the Philippines and implementing DepEd’s basic education curriculum.

While situated overseas, these schools are also required to comply with Philippine regulations aside from those of the host country.

As of December 2022, there are 32 PSOs in 10 countries – Bahrain, East Timor, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Around 25,000 students are currently enrolled in PSOs, from pre-elementary, elementary and high school, according to the PSO website.