School Begins in the Philippines! Yippee!

When does school start in the Philippines? 
In the USA, the school year begins usually around the first week of September.
In the Philippines the school year begins (usually after Independence Day in the Philippines). 

This year our daughter has 2 of her best friends joining her at school. Now she has Elizabeth and Princess riding with her. Mommy has informed me that the kids enjoy their rides to and from school by singing, calling out to friends as they drive by, and talking about 'Slime' (a concoction of goop that April creates - then names -  on a daily basis).

The girls tell us that they are excited to meet new friends, teachers, and learn new subjects. Most of the children are Filipino, but there are some foreign students as well. Classes are supposed to be in English, but some of the students (and teachers and staff) regularly slip into Tagalog (or even the local dialect) - even when there are signs posted all around the school 'English Only'.  

Classes begin at 7:10 in the morning, and conclude at 4 in the afternoon with the flag lowering ceremony during the national anthem. 

Lunches are home cooked meals that are delicious and nutritious. 

Oh, did I mention that the kids must wear school uniforms? 
All schools (pre-school, public, private, college) in the Philippines have school uniforms. There is no competition (or envy) for fashion. Only competition for academics. 

Since the girls are attending a private school, the students parents must pay the  tuition. The tuition fee has been increasing on an annual basis. This year, when I asked the cost of the tuition, I was told by the principal it was about ten thousand pesos (about US$250)...
Greg: '10,000 pesos per month?!?!?'
Principal: 'No, no, it's 10,000 pesos per year. If this is to expensive for you to pay now, then you can make weekly payments (US$20 per week).' 

I looked at my wife with a smile, 'Hon, If you have the cash, then pay the principal for this year's tuition as well as for the next 5 years.'

My wife knew I was thrilled, but the principal wasn't sure if I was serious or loony. Even as we tried to pay for the future years of tuition, we were told that our eagerness to pay was unprecedented. So this left us with only only 1 option - pay for this year's tuition, and be glad. 

I am glad. I am sure that many of you would be glad as well. As you can see, this is another reason why Island Life is Awesome!

Thanks for reading. Please Share!

written by Greg Pasden - International Best Selling author and Philippines Expat Expert

tags: philippines school, tablas island, greg pasden, american expat, living in the philippines