A total of 90 private schools in Central Visayas will raise tuition and other fees for school year 2016-2017.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved the application of 68 private pre-school, elementary and secondary schools to increase tuition by 10 to 15 percent.
One school has increased its tuition by 40 percent, said Milagros Gabia, head of DepEd 7 Quality Assurance Division.
More schools are expected to follow as soon as their applications are approved, she added. There are a total of 778 private schools in Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.
The Commission on Higher Education (Ched 7), for its part, has approved the applications of 22 private universities and colleges to increase fees by an average of 5 percent.
Of the 22 tertiary schools, 14 will raise tuition in all levels (first year to fourth year) while eight will raise tuition only for freshmen.
While DepEd has released a list of schools and the corresponding increases in tuition, Ched 7 declined to identify the colleges and universities with higher fees.
Ched 7 director Freddie Bernal reminded his staff that only the Ched Central Office can release the full details of schools that had filed application for tuition increase.
Gabia said the deadline for the submission of applications was May 15. The schools were asked to submit 14 requirements, including certifications under oath that the school had consulted the parents and that the previous increase was used as follows: 70 percent for the increase of salary of teachers; 20 percent for upgrading of school facilities; and 10 percent for return of investment.
Most of the schools said the increase would go to the teachers’ salaries.
“Di ba misaka na man ang sweldo sa mga teachers sa public schools? Gusto nila nga maapas ang sweldo sa mga public schools (They want to match the teachers’ salaries in public schools),” said Eduardo Omaña, education program supervisor of DepEd 7 Quality Assurance Division.
Of the 68 private schools, 15 are based in Cebu City; 11 in Cebu province, 5 in Talisay City; 4 in Carcar City; 4 in Lapu-Lapu City; 1 in Mandaue City; 1 in Naga City; 1 in Danao City; 25 in the province of Bohol; and 1 in Tagbilaran City.
Some schools applied for zero increase for record purposes, which is necessary in case the schools wish to increase their tuition for the next school year.
In Cebu City, among the schools that will increase their tuition are the Cebu Mary Immaculate College in Talamban and Jakosalem St. in Cebu City, which asked for a 10-percent increase for pre-school (P33,371.80), elementary (P42,983.47) and secondary level (P51,060.90). It also sought for another 10 percent increase for other fees.
The Child Learning Foundation in Happy Valley asked for 8.10 percent, 7.38 percent and 21 percent increase of tuition fee for pre-school, elementary and secondary, respectively.
The Sacred Heart School (Hijas de Jesus) will raise tuition by 10 percent for pre-school to secondary levels. Other fees will be higher by 6.57 percent and 30.11 percent for pre-school and secondary levels, respectively.
The University of Cebu Main increased tuition by 5.03 percent for pre-school; 4.99 percent for elementary; and 5.03 percent for secondary. Other fees will be raised by 4.99 percent to 5.01 percent.
The University of Cebu M.E.T.C. also raised tuition by 4.99 percent for pre-school, 5 percent for elementary, and 4.99 percent for secondary level. It also sought to increase other fees by 4.97 percent to 5.03 percent.
In Carcar City, Carcar Christian School will impose a 10-percent increase for pre-school, elementary and secondary levels. Other fees would be increased by 15.01 percent for pre-school, 13.87 percent for elementary and 12.45 percent for secondary.
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