In Manila, 17 schools requested an increase in tuition in secondary or high school courses. These are Perpetual Help College Manila, Arellano University, Philippine Scholastic Academy, St. Mary’s Academy, Westminster High School, College de San Juan de Letran, Hope Christian High School, Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila, Chiang Kai Sheik College, University of the East, St. Stephen’s High School, Concordia College, De Ocampo Memorial College, St. Jude Catholic School, St. Mary’s Academy, Collegio De Sta. Rosa and Paco Citizen Academy Foundation.

In Quezon City, 15 schools sought tuition increases also in high school courses. They are St. Joseph’s College, Immaculate Heart of May College, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College, Roosevelt College Cubao, St. Bridget School, National College of Business and Arts (Cubao and Fairview branches), Roosevelt College Quirino, Francisco School, St. Mary’s College, Miriam College, Philadelphia School, St. Patrick School, Angelicum College, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, and Infant Jesus Academy.

Twenty other schools elsewhere in Metro Manila sought similar fee increases. These are St. Louis Colleges, Children of Mary Immaculate College and St. Jude Academy in Valenzuela; Colegio de Santa Ana in Taguig; Mary, Cause of Our Joy Catholic School in Muntinlupa; Arellano University (Andres Bonifacio HS), St. Paul College and Holy Light School in Pasig City; Manresa School in Parañaque;

Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy and St. Mary’s Academy in Pasay City; Makati Hope Christian School, Inc and Assumption College in Makati City; STI Academy, Bloomfield Academy and Las Piñas College in Las Piñas City, Arellano University and La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong; Immaculate Conception Academy in San Juan and St. Anthony Nova School in Caloocan City.

Department of Education Officer-in-Charge Dr. Fe Hidalgo told a news conference that many of these schools requested for an average increase of 10 percent in their fees.

She said a previous DepEd memorandum mandated that schools can only be allowed a 10-percent increase as long as there is consultation with the parents.

Based on the latest data, however, seven schools have requested for a tuition fee increase of more than 20 percent for the coming school year.

Hidalgo said they have yet to analyze the documents submitted to them by the petitioning schools.

"Private schools are not subsidized by the government so that if there is a need for their libraries to be replenished, chairs to be repaired or any other facilities that require renovation, they need additional resources," she said.

"Schools that want quality would like to see they have more in terms of resources," she said.

According to Assistant Secretary for programs and projects Vilma Labrador, private school owners have to comply with all three basic requirements before they get the approval of the department.

The basic requirements set under Republic Act 6728 are that school owners should have appropriate consultations with parents or at least 10 percent of parents approved the tuition raise; 70 percent of the amount goes to the payment of salaries of teachers or faculty staff; and at least 20 percent for the improvement or modernization of school buildings, she said.

DepEd officials warned schools that they face sanctions if they impose fees higher than 10 percent and without consultation with parents and the department. "There are sanctions to that... But we hope the schools abide by the rules set by the department," they said.