The Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) is not in full support of one of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) suggestions to get the summary average of the previous three quarters amid struggles in reaching a target grade.
“Maraming lalagpas. Madedemanda kami roon, and private schools. I’d like to believe baka hindi rin kami matulungan ng DepEd (Many will go beyond. Private schools might face charges. I’d like to believe DepEd might not be able to help us),” FAPSA Pres. Eleazardo Kasilag explained.
The DepEd is leaving it up to the schools.
“That will be decided case by case by the school and there will be normal appealing process, but we are not making that the policy… The reality is we need to complete already the school year and move on from there,” DepEd USec. Nepomuceno Malaluan said.
Since private schools administrators will have to make sure all students will take the final periodical exams by April 17, after the enhanced community quarantine lapses, FAPSA also admitted that a number of small private schools are struggling to pay the salaries of their employees.
“‘Yung iba naming parents as early as first quarter may utang na, ‘di ba? Then kung final exam doon lang nagbabayad (Some parents have balances since first quarter and only pay during final exams),” Kasilag admitted.
“Another thing, ‘yung sa last quarter na ‘yon, may mga collection pa kami na (during the last quarter, we still have collections) we need to survive in our operation. Eh kung mawawala ‘yun (If we do away with that), some of the parents may take advantage of that and they will not pay until probably next school year,” he added.
In response, DepEd revealed it has a salary subsidy in its budget which also includes private school teachers.
The education department has also assured the processing and disbursement of all payables are being fast-tracked.
While the FAPSA expressed understanding on the current situation brought about by COVID-19, they are pleading with the national government for additional financial assistance.
“Considering we are partners in nation building, baka pwedeng isama rin kami, lalo na ang small private schools (we are hoping they might include us, especially small private schools),” Kasilag said.
Report from Mica Joson
