Private schools hit regulation of pre-kinder education

MANILA, Philippines -  An organization of private schools has criticized the imposition of new regulations that will require them to secure a separate permit to operate pre-kinder education programs in the country.

Eleazardo Kasilag, Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) president, said the regulation imposed by the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council would be an added burden to schools offering pre-kinder education. 

“FAPSA member schools find the setup absurd, baloney and crazy,” Kasilag said, referring to the guidelines issued by the ECCD Council regarding the registration and granting of permit to learning centers offering early childhood programs.

Under the guidelines, all child development centers and learning centers must apply for a permit at the municipal or city social welfare development office before they can offer pre-kinder programs.

Kasilag said the regulation of early childhood education complicates the system, noting that FAPSA member schools already secured an authority to operate from the Department of Education (DepEd).

He questioned why pre-kinder programs were separated from basic education (kinder to Grade 12), which is under the jurisdiction of DepEd.

“Will the ECCD revoke the DepEd authority of private schools (and require them) to get a new permit (from EDDC) this coming school year?  What will this new burden require of us in the private schools?” Kasilag asked.

Sought for comment, DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali stressed that the new guidelines issued by the EDDC Council is mandated by the law that created it in 2013.

Republic Act 10410 or the Early Years Act recognizes that the first eight years of a child is a crucial stage in educational development, therefore highlighting the need to strengthen early childhood care and development in the country.

The regulation will ensure that children get proper education during this crucial stage of their lives.

The council is composed of DepEd, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

There is no duplication in requiring child development centers to secure a permit, Umali said, stressing that the objective of the guidelines is to ensure the welfare of the children.

Based on the guidelines, centers that will fail to comply with the requirements will be given a temporary permit valid for one year.

Those who will submit all the necessary requirements will be allowed to operate for three years, after which they will be assessed to determine if they can continue offering early childhood programs.