Around 50 private elementary schools in the National Capital Region have already signified their intention to the education department to increase their tuitions this coming school year.
The tuition hike in some private pre-schools and grade schools is expected to reach two to 20 percent this school year.
In Quezon City, the Saint Theresa’s College is set to increase its tuition by 5%, Ateneo de Manila (6% increase), Trinity University of Asia (8%) and Saint Joseph’s College (10%).
In Manila, Letran (10%), University of the East (10%), Saint Jude (10%) and Malate Catholic School (11%).
Other private elementary schools with tuition hikes include the Immaculate Concepcion Academy (5%), Aquinas School (9%) and Dominican School (10%) in the cities of Pasig and San Juan; and Jose Rizal College and Lourdes School (8%) in Mandaluyong City
The DepEd said the list of schools which will implement tuition fee increase could still go up before the school year starts.
The department said it allows schools to hike its tuition as long as it is in accordance with their regulation that majority of the percentage would go to teacher’s salary.
"Pinapakita nila in detail paano gagamitin iyong increase and they talk with parents," said Teresita Domalanta, DepEd-NCR director.
The DepEd added that there are three schools which will be increasing their tuition by as much as 20 percent.
These are the Las Piñas College (25%), Batasan Chunan Christian School (26%-29%) and the Southeastern College (36%-47%).
"Ang Batasan Chunan Christian School ay isa sa may pinakamataas na pagtaas sa matrikula ngayong taon. Halos 30 porsyento ang tinaas nito. Pero paliwanag ng iskwelahan, below minimum wage pa rin kasi ang suweldo ng kanilang mga guro, at nais nilang pagandahin ang kanilang pasilidad," said Domalanta.
"Hindi naman sa amin mapupunta iyon, para sa suweldo ng teachers at mapaganda iyong quality of education ng mga bata," said Eleanor Salvador, assistant registrar of the Batasan Chunan Christian School.
DepEd is also thankful that only around 50 of the more than 1,000 private schools in the NCR will hike their tuition this school year. With a report from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News