Beyond tax relief, safe school reopening is priority

Shortly after the delayed reopening of classes last year, Education Secretary Leonor Briones reported to the Senate that only 2.1 million or less than half of an estimated 4.3 million learners enrolled in private schools. Moreover, 865 out of 14,435 private schools nationwide suspended operations. She surmised that more than half of them transferred to public schools as the global coronavirus pandemic caused serious economic dislocation.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 9913 that enables private schools to avail themselves of the 10 percent preferential rate on taxable income and also grants proprietary schools the privilege of availing themselves of the one percent special tax rate until 2020.

Even if favorable Senate action could eventually ensure that the tax relief measures sought by private school owners would be realized, the far-reaching impact of the COVID-driven economic slowdown continues to be felt in the academe.