Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday highlighted the “timely relief” for Filipino households as the Department of Education (DepEd) secured the first increase in tuition subsidies for learners in private Junior High Schools (JHS).

This comes after members of the State Assistance Council approved the first adjustment of Educational Service Contracting (ESC) grant rates since 2017.

These include the DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In a statement, Angara said the move is timely considering the rising school expenses in the country.

“Matagal nang hinihintay ng mga magulang at ng ating mga partner private schools ang dagdag na tulong na ito (Parents and our partner private schools have been waiting for this additional aid for so long),” he said.

“Malaking ginhawa ang mas mataas na subsidy para masigurong tuluy-tuloy ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan at hindi sila napipilitang huminto dahil sa kakulangan sa pambayad (The higher subsidy is a huge relief to ensure that the youth will continue their studies and not be forced to stop due to lack of financial resources).”

Angara said the adjustment will help address classroom congestion in public schools.

“Kapag binibigyan natin ng mas abot-kayang pagpipilian ang mga pamilya, nababawasan din natin ang siksikan sa public schools at nabibigyan natin ang bawat bata ng mas maayos na pagkakataon para matuto (When we provide families with affordable options, congestion in public schools is also eased and we are granting everyone the chance to have proper learning),” he said.

Under the approved rate adjustment, incoming Grade 7 ESC grantees will be covered beginning in the school year (SY) 2027 to 2028.

The new rates entail a PHP4,500 increase in the National Capital Region, PHP3,500 in highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and PHP3,000 in other areas.

In Metro Manila, the new structure will increase the annual ESC grants to PHP17,500 from the current PHP13,000.

Grantees in HUCs outside Metro Manila will receive PHP14,500 from PHP11,000, while those in all other regions will receive PHP12,000, up from PHP9,000.

Overall, the government subsidy can now cover about 34 percent to 50 percent of mandatory tuition and miscellaneous fees. (PNA)