Tuition hike seen in more than 200 CV private schools

CEBU, Philippines - Before classes will resume next month, at least 200 private academic institutions in central Visayas will have higher tuition fees.

The Department of Education  – 7 announced yesterday it has approved the application of 196 (out of 625) schools in 19 Divisions in the region for a tuition fee hike for school year 2014-2015. These are a mix of preschools and elementary and high schools.

“Deadline pag May 15 pero katong niabot nga documents daan, ato paning i-process kay naa’y kuwang sa requirements. So, expect ko ani nga moabot pa ni’g mga 200 kapin,” said Dr. Marcial Degamo, chief of DepEd-7’s Assurance and Accountability Division.

Of the 196 schools, 34 are in Cebu City, one is in Bogo City, one is in Carcar City, one is in Danao City, eight are in Lapu-Lapu City, seven are in Mandaue City, 20 are in Talisay City and eight are in Toledo City. Thirty-eight others are in Cebu Province.

The schools in Cebu City include the Sacred Heart School, Lahug Christian School, Holy Rosary School of Pardo, FBC Christian School, Inc., University of the Visayas (Pardo), Saint Mary’s Academy of San Nicolas, Inc., Saint Francis of Assisi School (Lahug), Maria Motessori International School (Talamban), San Isidro Parish School (Talamban), Colegio Del Santo Niño, Saint Theresa’s College, USPF (Lahug), USPF (Mabini), Athenaeum International School, Don Bosco Technology Center, Inc., Mabolo Christian Academy, University of Cebu (Main), University of Cebu (Mambaling), Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology, University of the Visayas (Colon), Saint Paul College Foundation, Inc., Bethany Christian School, University of the Visayas,  Mabolo Christian Academy, Maria Montessori International School, Matilde Bradford Christian School, Dynamics Minds Learning House, Inc., Colegio Del Santo Niño, CBD College, Inc., Cabreros Evangelical Christian School, Inc. and Evangelical Free Child Development Centers, Inc.

Degamo emphasized that the members of the Board of Directors and Trustees of the schools, alongside approval from parents, who approve the hike first.

“But with their approval, it doesn’t mean they have to implement without the confirmation of our Regional Director. And in order to get the confirmation, a lot of process ang agi-an, and we have to scrutinize the records and requirements if those are properly supported,” he said.

Degamo said the number of schools that applied for an increase this year is higher compared to last year, but the percentage of the increase, which is at an average of eight to nine percent, is just the same.

“Tabangan pud nato gani ang schools kay naa pud raba na nga not enough to sustain their operations of the school, pangsweldo sa teachers, modules, mga facilities,” he said.

He added that education of the children is an investment and the increase in tuition, which is expected to pave way for better services, would ensure quality education.

“If dili nato kaya, dili nalang ta mag-private schools,” he said, contending that public schools, too, offer quality education.

He encouraged parents to visit DepEd’s website to know which schools have been allowed to hike tuition. He encouraged them further to report to DepEd immediately if the school their children are enrolled in increased tuition without DepEd confirmation. —/JMO (FREEMAN)