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Philippine Catholic Schools Seek Expanded Scholarship Aid

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img7419_2025-09-30_15-01-50.jpg

Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

 

The largest association of Catholic schools in the Philippines, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), has called on the government to extend its private school scholarship program. CEAP warns that declining student enrollment, escalating operational costs, and teacher migration to higher-paying jobs are threatening the sustainability of its 1,500 member institutions nationwide. Following a steep drop in enrollment from 4.3 million pre-COVID-19 to 1.4 million in 2022, many schools are struggling despite having navigated the pandemic's challenges.

 

Private Catholic institutions face strong competition from government schools offering free tuition, according to CEAP President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ. At a press conference, he emphasized the pressing need for both private and public schools, likening them to "both lungs" essential for educational survival. CEAP is advocating for the expansion of vouchers and subsidies through the Department of Education's Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program, which currently provides financial aid to high school students.

 

San Juan indicated that lawmakers such as Sen. Bam Aquino have shown willingness to consider making elementary students eligible for GASTPE subsidies. This move is seen as necessary amid ongoing concerns over misallocated public funds, which offer an opportunity to reallocate resources to education. The current subsidy amounts, ranging from P9,000 to P13,000 per student, are deemed insufficient to cover actual education costs.

 

The push for increased GASTPE funding is bolstered by CEAP treasurer Br. Edmundo Fernandez's assertion that subsidy inefficiencies burden private schools, especially mission schools. He suggests that improvements in funding, timely disbursements, and streamlined processes are needed.

 

Additionally, CEAP members, like Br. Kenneth Martinez, argue that tuition caps linked to inflation don't accurately reflect the costs of running schools, pushing some towards potential shut-downs. Furthermore, CEAP is advocating for more autonomy in making decisions related to weather-related class suspensions, seeking flexibility based on local conditions. The Department of the Interior and Local Government is open to dialogues on this matter.

 

Key Takeaways

  • CEAP presses for expanded scholarships as enrollments drop sharply.
  • Lawmakers express openness to widen financial aid for younger students.
  • Schools call for autonomy in tuition rates and class suspensions.

 

Click here for more Philippine stories

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-09-30

 

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