APEC schools open doors to public school graduates

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Affordable Private Education Center Inc., or APEC Schools, announced that it will lower its rates to enable 3,500 public Grade 10 graduates to study for free through the government’s senior high school voucher system.

APEC Schools said starting July, it would offer an afternoon shift of its Grade 11 program in its Metro Manila branches at an all-in cost of P22,500, inclusive of tuition, books and other fees.

“This is equivalent to the senior high school voucher that the Department of Education is providing to all public school graduates in this region, which means that public school graduates who enroll at APEC Schools can attend it with no out of pocket costs,” the school said.

Afternoon shift tuition in APEC School branches outside of Metro Manila will also be further lowered to match the maximum amount of government vouchers.

“We have designed APEC Schools to provide as many students as possible with the improved learning opportunities they deserve, without compromising quality and affordability,” Ayala Education chief executive officer Fred Ayala said.

“This is in line with our commitment to help address unemployment and enable inclusive growth, by producing globally competitive graduates who are very qualified to either enter college or the professional workforce,” he added.

Morning shifts, meanwhile, will cost P32,500 per year and will be open to both public and private junior high school graduates.

“For private school graduates who qualify for 80 percent of the senior high school voucher, this translates to an all-in out of pocket cost of P14,500. These out of pocket costs can be paid on a monthly basis,” added APEC Schools.

DepEd has allotted over P12 billion to the voucher system, which would cover costs of tuition of qualified public junior high school graduates who choose to enroll in a private school for senior high school.