JEDDAH, 25 May 2004 — The International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) will not readmit students with outstanding accounts of more than SR1,000 this school year, Arab News has learned.
The new school year begins June 5.
“Accumulated unpaid accounts have been going on forever, leaving the school in financial difficulties most of the time,” said Mardy Dimalotang, the acting chairman of the IPSJ board. “As the newly elected board, we are committed to correcting things and streamlining student admissions, paving the way for a manageable financial viability.”
Founded in 1981, IPSJ is the oldest and the largest Philippine school in the Kingdom with more than a thousand students.
Meanwhile, the board has embarked on a facelift for the school by repairing and repainting all school buildings in preparation for the next month’s start of classes.
“We are committed to offering fresh and clean surroundings to our cherished pupils and students,” said Lazo, who along with board member Mike Diagao has been supervising the job since last month.
The new administration is struggling to keep the institution financially afloat after the previous board headed by Efren Rodriguez left behind barely enough money to pay for the school’s electricity bill. Now the school says it has to cut jobs.
“Major cost-cutting efforts are under way, including streamlining the number of staff to minimum requirements. That way we will be able to survive the present situation,” Lazo said.
Last March, Rodriguez turned the funds he had been holding on to over to the new board in the presence of officials from the Philippine Consulate and the Ministry of Education. However, Rodriguez’s huge disbursements while in office left the school with practically nothing.
Arab News also learned that the former interim board, headed by Fidel Hernandez, had also been asked to submit an expenditure report during their short stint running the school with then Consul General Kadatuan P. Usop. No reply has been received despite several requests, according to Lazo.
Parents, meanwhile, are unhappy with the new board as well, saying it has failed to keep promises including a study to slash tuition fees. On the contrary, “miscellaneous” fees have gone up from SR290 to SR500.
“What else can we expect from the new board? Just like all politicians, once elected their promises go down the drain,” said parent Gina Nazario.
“I am appealing to the parents to give us ample time to regain stability for the almost bankrupt school. Let’s see what we can do once that is done,” Lazo said.