400 private schools at risk of closure over lack of enrollees —COCOPEA survey

Some 400 private schools are at risk of closure due to the lack of enrollees amid the coronavirus pandemic, a survey by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) found.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ Wednesday report on “24 Oras,” 80 percent of 500 private schools surveyed by COCOPEA may soon close.

“Eighty percent no’ng mga natanong ang nagsabi na hanggang katapusan na lamang ng Agosto ang kanilang resources… Pagkatapos niyan, they are already considering closing down operations,” COCOPEA managing director Joseph Noel Estrada said.

Around 370,000 private school teachers have also taken pay cuts or have gone on no work, no pay status since the pandemic started.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said an estimated 319,000 students have so far enrolled in private schools for the upcoming school year, compared to four million enrollees recorded last year.

“Right now, it is projected that around two million students would transfer to public schools. So ibig sabihin no’n, kung kalahati ng estudyante ‘yung mawawala… ito ay nangangahulugan din ng pagsasara ng mga eskwelahan,” ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio said.

“‘Pag nagsara ‘yung eskwelahan, the layoff, retrenchment ng mga private school teachers natin ‘yung kasunod,” he added.

Basilio noted that parents’ lack of income due quarantine restrictions may be behind the low number of enrollees.

Estrada urged the government to consider a subsidy for private school teachers.

“Malaking bagay kung ang gobyerno ay makakapagbigay kahit isang buwan lamang na katumbas ng kanilang sahod,” Estrada said.

“Maaari po silang i-hire ng Department of Education para po dito sa pagbubukas ng school year 2020-2021 kasi experienced na ito,” Basilio added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian earlier urged subsidies for private schools amid the pandemic. 

Subsidy for private school teachers is included in the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News