Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) — The Department of Education is calling on the private basic education sector to defer increases in tuition and other fees for next school year as parents and learners currently face financial constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The department said in a statement Thursday that while it recognizes the need of the private schools to “ensure sustainability, this objective must be balanced with the accessibility” of quality basic education services to learners.
DepEd said any application for tuition increases should be “reasonable” and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The agency also urged private schools to be transparent in the structure of fees as it said that there had been concerns raised about this matter.
Concerns of private schools are set to be tackled in a meeting next week, Tonisito Umali said during a Senate hearing on education policies in the new normal.
Earlier, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations, or COCOPEA, asked authorities to provide cash subsidy for school personnel, free internet access for some schools, tax incentives, and “less regulatory policy environment” for a smooth transition to flexible learning options. The organization argued they need support to survive the current crisis.
COCOPEA, which represents 2,500 private schools nationwide, noted the coronavirus crisis forced 100 private schools to end their academic year early.
