Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) — The Department of Education (DepEd) has urged private schools to impose “reasonable” school fees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said on Tuesday that the agency has received reports from parents on the imposition of questionable fees despite the promotion of blended learning among students nationwide.
“Aaminin namin, may kaunting autonomy sa private schools kung saan sila kukuha ng fees,” San Antonio said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing. “Pero pinapaalalahanan ang private schools na ang kailangan ay paniningil nang makatwiran.”
[Translation: We admit, private schools have the autonomy when it comes to collecting fees. But we reminded them to impose reasonable ones.]
“Hindi makatwiran kung halimbawa maniningil ng laboratory fees, at hindi ka naman magpapa-laboratory dahil sa distance learning,” San Antonio explained. “Yung mga ganung pangongolekta ay hindi naman makatarungan na singilin pa ito.”
[Translation: It’s not reasonable to impose laboratory fees when you are not going to use the laboratory due to distance learning. This type of collection is not justifiable anymore.]
The department said tuition hikes and the imposition of other fees among private schools may be “largely internal” due to differences in policies. However, any concerns must be settled between the schools and the parents.
“Ang requirement lang po namin ay naisangguni ba iyan sa magulang?” San Antonio stressed. “Sumang-ayon ba ang magulang sa gusto niyong isingil? Ganun pa man welcome po ang feedback ng magulang kung hindi na fair ang paninigil.”
[Translation: Our only requirement is whether these schools have reached out to the parents. Have the parents agreed to their system of collection? In any case, feedback from parents would be welcome, should there be any unfair system in place.]
The DepEd previously announced that over 13 million students have enrolled in public and private schools nationwide.
Following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, face-to-face classes may only resume once a vaccine against the coronavirus is made available.
Classes are expected to start on August 24 with a blended learning approach, mostly through the use of digital platforms, radio, television, and printed modules.
