Question & AnswerQ&A (DECS ORDER NO. 21)
The State declares its policy to promote and enhance the quality of education at all levels and to make such education accessible to all, recognizing the contributions of private institutions and providing resource generation mechanisms and deregulation techniques for school financing.
Under Section 42 of Batas Pambansa 232, also known as the Education Act of 1982, each private school determines its own tuition and other school fees or charges.
No, elementary schools including pre-schools may determine their own tuition and other school fee rates without consultation requirements as set forth under the guidelines.
They may increase tuition by up to a maximum of P290.00 without the need for consultation.
These schools must determine fee increases after conducting consultations with the duly organized parents and teachers associations and faculty associations or their equivalents.
They may increase tuition by up to P12.00 per unit without consultations; increases beyond this amount require consultations.
Schools must submit a letter of advice to the DECS Regional Office, a certification under oath regarding compliance with RA No. 6728 consultation and allocation requirements, and the schedule of fees indicating increases.
At least 70% of tuition fee income or increases must go to salaries, wages, and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel (except certain administrators); at least 20% must be used for facility improvements and operational costs; and 5% of incoming freshmen must receive full or half tuition waivers for schools charging over P80.00 per unit.
If disagreements arise in consultations, the alumni association or another impartial body acts as arbitrator; the school may collect the fee increase but must hold amounts collected in escrow pending final settlement.
For private high school students enrolled in schools charging less than P1,900.00 in SY 1992-1993, a voucher of P290.00 is provided; for tertiary students in priority courses with tuition of P80.00 per unit or less, a voucher covers increase up to P12.00 per unit.