168 private schools eye tuition hikes in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Some 168 private elementary and high schools in Metro Manila are set to increase tuition when classes open in June, statistics from the Department of Education (DepEd) show.

Up to 30 others have pending requests for tuition increases, according to Rizalino Rosales, DepEd assistant regional director for the National Capital Region.

Rosales said this year’s figure was consistent with the average number of schools that requested tuition increases within the range of 10 and 12 percent every year, mostly to fund wage increases and support facilities improvement.

While tuition hikes in private schools are deregulated, DepEd still exercises oversight and evaluates whether fee increases are justified.

“If the increase they are requesting is too high, we use the persuasive approach and ask them to reduce the rate they are requesting. We just negotiate it,” Rosales said.

Earlier, the Commission on Higher Education said up to 300 private colleges and universities would increase tuition this coming school year.