DepEd warns public vs bogus private schools

PALO, Leyte, June 17 (PNA) -– The Department of Education (DepEd) has called on parents anew to check if the private schools where their children are presently enrolled have the government permit to operate.

The DepEd regional office here confirmed that some schools without permit are still operating despite closure orders, prompting the education department to release a new list of private schools recognized by the government.

Rhodora Sison, chief of DepEd’s regional Quality Assurance Division, said the new list have been posted in their website, regional office, division office, town halls and other public places.

“The schools division superintendent are directed to caution the private schools in their jurisdiction operating without permit and advise the schools heads not to accept enrolees for school year 2016-2017 unless granted by the regional office the authority to operate kindergarten, elementary and junior high school through the issuance of government permit,” Sison said, citing a recent regional memorandum.

The official confirmed that they have been receiving complaints from parents of children who were enrolled last year in non-accredited schools such as International Christian Academy in Tanauan, Leyte and V&G Better Homes Learning Center in Tacloban City.

“Even if they had finished Grade 3 or Grade 4 in a non-accredited school, they have to go back to kindergarten once they transfer to recognized private schools or public schools because they don’t have an LRN (learner reference number),” Sison explained.

The LRN is a permanent 12-digit number which the pupil, student or learner shall keep while completing the basic education program, regardless of transfer to another school or learning center in the public or private sector, and promotion to the secondary level.

The first six digits is the school identification number. Non-recognized school have no identification number, according to Sison.

In Leyte province, only 92 private schools have permit to permit while in Tacloban City, the DepEd has issued permits to only 31 learning centers.

The DepEd reminded parents that studying in an unaccredited private school might pose a problem on student’s learning due to unauthorized curriculum.

The deadline for submission of accreditation requirements for next school year is every August and the approval is every February before the next academic year.

Pupils and students who had finished a grade/year level in a school without the required permit are advised to take the Philippine Validating Test (PVT) prior to admission to another school to validate the acquired learning gains.

PVT is administered at the National Education Testing and Research Center at the DepEd central office. (PNA)
FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO