DepEd: Only few schools apply for tuition fee increase

CEBU, Philippines – Only a few private schools nationwide have applied for tuition fee increase this school year.

Secretary Mona Valisno of the Department of Education said this is good news for the parents as the classes start today. Valisno said in a statement that based on the reports from the different regional offices, only less than 10 percent of the 9,995 private schools nationwide have applied for tuition fee increase.

In Central Visayas, Valisno said that less than 10 private schools have asked for an increase. In Metro Manila, out of the 1,937 private schools only 107 have applied for tuition fee increase.

Valisno said that most of the private school operators responded to their call to avoid tuition fee increases as much as possible so as not to add to the burdens of the parents who are suffering from the effects of the financial crisis.

Under the Education Act of 1982 all applications for increase in tuition and other school fees are subject to the approval of DepEd, thus private schools must comply with the applicable DepEd orders on the matter before any increase may be imposed.

The statement added that Valisno already directed all DepEd field offices to closely monitor any increase being proposed by private schools in order to protect the interests of parents, students, and the general public. –Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/FPL (The Freeman)