Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 11) — Private schools are seeking tax relief measures and other forms of aid from the government as they prepare for a widespread shift to distance learning under the new normal in education.
Lawyer Joseph Noel Estrada, managing director of Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), asked authorities on Thursday to include the private school teachers and personnel in the next wave of COVID-19 cash subsidy.
“Hindi po sila naging beneficiary sa kahit ano pong [They did not qualify as beneficiaries of] financial assistance programs of the Department of Labor and Employment or Department of Finance,” Estrada told the Senate inquiry on the impact of the pandemic on the country’s basic education system.
“Kung hindi po magkakaroon ng subsidy, malaking tulong po sa amin if we receive tax breaks,” he added.
[Translation: If we will not be provided with subsidy, tax breaks will be a big help.]
The coronavirus crisis forced 100 private schools to end their academic year early, he added.
COCOPEA, which represents 2,500 private schools nationwide, is also asking the Department of Education to provide an ‘inclusive, developmental and less regulatory policy environment for ‘smooth’ transition to flexible learning options.
“A lot of the schools worry about administrative process,” Estrada said, noting that regional officials from DepEd require “different submissions.”
COCOPEA also appeals for free WiFi access for some private educational institutions, as students face internet connection problems.
