FIFTY-THREE private elementary schools in the National Capital Region have asked for tuition increases for this school year compared to 48 last year.

Teresita Domalanta, director of the DepEd-National Capital Region, said the tuition hike may range from 2 to 10 percent.

"We expect any increase in that range since the school owners know that any increase beyond that would result in a decline in their enrolment," she said.

Domalanta said they are still in the process of updating the petition for tuition hike filed by private secondary schools.

The deadline for the submission of the petition for tuition hike is May 15.

There are around 1,000 private elementary and secondary schools in Metro Manila.

Among the schools asking for tuition hike are St. Theresa's College (5 percent), Saint Joseph's College (10 percent), Trinity University of Asia (8 percent) and Ateneo Grade School (6 percent).

The Malate Catholic School is asking for 11 percent while the University of the East and Letran are asking for 10 percent.

Immaculate Conception Academy is asking for 5 percent, Aquinas School (9%) and Dominican School (10%) in the cities of Pasig and San Juan; and Jose Rizal College and Lourdes School (8%) in Mandaluyong City.

A DepEd-NCR official who requested anonymity said three schools asking for an increase by as much as 20 percent.

These are the Las Piñas College (25%), Batasan Chunan Christian School (26%-29%) and the Southeastern College (36%-47%).