How do Filipino families afford to send their kids to school? I think this is one of the questions thats pops up to the minds of some of the people that come here to visit and not live here and seeing how big many people we have here in every household. We all know that a typical family in the Philippines has 6 to a dozen kids. That’s just the normal families here. As you guys know Philippines is among the highest rank of the poor nation in the world. So some would wonder how a family of 6 or 8 send their kids to school, especially to college?
Well, as I can see in the place where I used to grow up some of our neighbors that has 8 kids or more they can afford sending all the kids through grade school and high school. After high school graduation some kids will continue on to college but some has go to the city like GenSan, Davao, Cebu or Manila to work. The parents just can’t afford to send them to college. Some of the siblings would even have to work as maid or in factory so that one of the other sibling can continue to college. Mostly it’s the oldest child would be sent first to college and the others will either help the parents in the farm or they go off to work.
Some also would go work as a working student in school or work in peoples house as maid during daytime and go to school during night time. Here in Davao we have school that offered school just during Sunday for high school. My nephew is one of the student there right now. One of my niece graduated there and starting to go to weekends classes too for college. Most of my niece and nephew’s classmates are working student. I think when they finish their degree they would really be proud of themselves because they really work hard to earn their degree. Now I was thinking I should have done this to my spoiled niece that just wasted her education. I should let her be a working student so that she would know the value of money and education.
One thing in our culture we will sent the oldest kid to school and hopefully finish it. As soon as he/she graduated from college and gets a job it would be his or her responsibility to send the younger one to school. If one of them graduated and had work its their responsibility to send the younger one again. It’s just like a pattern. I saw this pattern with some of my family(cousins) too. Luckily for us my Dad has enough income in our farm to send us to school. I was thankful for that, that I was allowed to study in Cebu City in a good school too.
I base this in some of my personal experience. As you know I grow up in the farm and we are poor. I’m proud of my parents that they really work hard to send us kids to good school. How about you guys? Let me know how you obtain your education.
Mabuhay!
Hi Feyma,
A bit off topic, but I think there are way too many colleges in the Philippines. you can see it in class sizes. I remember in my college days that many subjects had 150+ students. (College being different from high school in teacher-student ratio.) If the colleges consolidate, you will need less teachers, meaning you will see less 4year degree 20somethings teaching college students. This will also reserve college for those who truly want/need higher learning. As for the remainer, there should be vast number of technical work-study colleges where students learn a spefic trade. They earn money while studying, so that they don't depend on family resources.
As it is now, most college degrees are nearly worthless, and it shows. Most of these graduates are working at restaurants as waiters (HR graduates), call centers (all other degrees). Exception being nursing program, which is another topic altogether (brain-drain).
Hi Feyma-Thanks for having this topic which is closest to my heart. Whenever people, especially the young ones asked me why I can speak english, my response is, my parents didn't have the luxuries in life, eg. vacation, cars, beautiful home, etc just so they could save their meager incomes for us to attend a good school. I had the priviilege to enjoy a scholarship back then. My younger sister and I lived in a boarding house, we cooked our own food so we could save a little.
After I got my first job, I told myself, it's payback time. I help out my parents financially once in awhile even if they don't ask for money, send a nephew to a good school and give relatives' kids tuition money and school parapherrnalia occasionally. My husband and I have this goal and this has brought joy to our souls.
Hello Feyma, i salute your parents! Worked hard for their children's education!!
Its nice if it will continue…. its gonna be like 'pay it forward' attitude
Hi…I like ur story very much about how it is in the Phillipines and how hard it is for a lot of the peoples there. I think it nice you had good parents that love u much and help you and sure they proud of u now and where you are now also with what you have done with your life.I also think that if we have to work for something we appreciate it more..here in states to many parents just give their kids to much and the kids not appreicate it.You see it every day.I would think the parents be much better parents if they teach their kids how to work and be proud of their acomplishments that they worked for.and of course some do this..but to many just give the kids $20.00 or so and send them to the malls to baby sit them,so they be out of the parents hair. 😆
I really like reading your site Feyma and Bob..very nice…Lots of fun stories about many different things here…and a lot of what you have shared and pic you show I have all ready to some extent experinced by chatting a lot of ladies from the Philipines so it is fun to read the stories and the comments and look at the nice photos…of everthing here….have a nice day…Dan
Hi Dan – We're happy to know that you are enjoying our site! We welcome you to come and visit, and participate through the comments any time! Good luck to you, and keep on visiting! 🙂
From experiencing Marleen's living situation in Cebu, I have to 100% agree with you! Her older sister paid for her college education (by her degree she should be an accountant, but she works in a pharmacy) after she graduated and got herself a job, she took on the responsibility of providing tuition and allowance for her younger brother. As an extra responsibility to her father and one of her other sisters, she will be providing tuition for her niece from the very beginning of her academic career all the way through college.
I, for one, think it is a brilliant idea! it keeps every body from having to work themselves to death and ultimately demands that almost everyone pull their weight for the good of the family.
That being said… I am not a big fan of her younger brother… he is lazy and a bit of a jerk.
Thank you for the post! It is interesting to find that hers isn't the only family to use this system.
Interesting information and comments.
I'm very curious – What does it cost to educate children here – at all age levels, from earliest ages on up? Are there government funded schools or do all people need to pay for schooling?
excellent article, Feyma. Many from outside the Philippines don't undersatnd how families help each other here. In the US you often find sort of an "every man for himself" family situation. In the Philippines a great majority of families map out the course for the children at an early age and get at least the oldest through a good school … and then the support flows backward along the family line.
There _are_ some government schools here, but they are the rare exception. Most folks find a way to scrape up tutition and send the children through private schools (which fortunately is alot cheaper thna in the US). Two of Mita's sisters in the US … a nurse and an accountant, have sent several of their nieces through nursing school, several will probably be in the US next year. They, of course, already have younger ones 'assigned" that they will be expected to help … and so it flows … the river of family.
It's very foreign to ther average American where we expect "the government" to have aprogram for everything … here, it's up to the family.
Hi Jae – Wow 150+ students in a class is too much. I've never experience that. We have like that many students if theirs like seminars or we have speaker from somewhere.
I tend to agree with you that some of the college graduates has not many jobs to chose from.
Hi Jul – I'm glad you like what I wrote. You know what my parents and your parents have same goal in life to have their kids have good education. I really salute them for that.
I'm really happy for you, you made your life better too.
Hi Marygrace – Thank you so much.
Hi Dan- Thank you very much for your comment. Yeah, I'm really proud of my parents. They really sacrifice for us kids.
Thank you for reading our columns. I appreciate your feedback.
Hi Feyma,
This is one aspect of Filipino culture that I am proud of. There is such a high value on education that parents work hard to send all their children to school, including college. Sending 4 or more kids to college at the same time is difficult for a middle-class household, let alone a poor family. This is where the help from siblings and other relatives come in. There is no student loan to speak of so the family is basically on its own to figure out how to finance a college education (i.e., loans, scholarships, etc.). I know of some families who have produced doctors and nurses thru sheer family effort (the older siblings helped finance the younger siblings’ education). Parents gauge their success as parents by the number of kids who finished college. Consequently, titles are widely used in the Philippines (i.e., Doctor Ramos, Attorney Santos, Engineer Solis, Architect Mendez, etc.). Filipinos put a high value on titles.
Lately, there have been pre-need education plans offered. Parents can start paying for their young child’s college education in installments at the current cost, so by the time they’re ready for college, their college education is fully paid.
Like you mentioned, Feyma, there are a lot of working students. My parents have had a few working students live/work with them who’ve finished college. Currently, I am sending a working student to college. She wants to be a teacher. Her salary is hers to keep, I take care of all her school expenses. The only thing I ask of her is to take good care of my parents and, of course, get good grades which she has. After she graduates and moves on, I will do this for the next person. I can say that this is working really well for all parties involved.
Jeannie, there are state universities that charge lower tuition fees (about a quarter of what a private university charges – not sure of the exact figure). Of course, a student can always apply for a scholarship or financial aid.
Sad fact is you have all these college graduates but no jobs, so people have not much choice but to go abroad to find a job.
Hi Lawrence J – Yeah some people here would be working on the job thats different from the course that they're graduated with.Not too many jobs available here though. So people are force to take anything they can.
I think it's just an instincts here that ones somebody did finish school and had a job it's her or his turn to pay for the next sibling in school.
I won't blame you for not liking her brother. Who would want to give money to those lazy one. That's one thing I don't like about the attitude of one of my niece. She's expecting us to give, but she doesn't want to work. I'm also lazy to give money to her.
Thank you for your comment!
Hi Jeannie – My kids are studying right now at Ateneo. Annual tuition & others fees per student almost 50k pesos (over $1000). That's grade school.
You have to be careful here on the education plan like insurance or something, lots of this insurance went under. Some of the students have to quit school because the insurance can't pay the school anymore. It happened to the classmates of my niece before. I felt bad for them.
You can also apply for scholarship. School like University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Philippine Science if you can pass the exam on that school the tuition fees are so low, even the board and lodging are cheap.
Hi Dave – Yeah thats the way the pattern here. The oldest goes to school first and hopefully finish and get a job.
I just saw on tv the other night that the US needs 1 million nurses for the next 13 years. Nursing course really is the best right now, jobs already waiting for it. Good that Mita's nieces are studying nursing. They are smart. They will be in the US in no time.
Hi Tina – That's a good pattern you have going there. You are also helping lots of people at the end. Good for you.
I can't agree you more. I saw lots of college graduate and on stand by I mean no job. It's really sad. To go abroad it takes time and lots of money.
Feyma,
Are you saying nursing is the best course for Filipinos because U.S. needs 1 millions nurses over next 13 years?
As it is now, even Filipinos doctors are downgrading to nurses to get a job abroad. So the best minds, which would have gone into medicine, law, engineering are instead going to nursing programs to fill overseas nursing needs?
So the best minds become nurses and leave Philippines. So what happens to Philippines?
Hi Feyma,
Be careful with post #17. I believe he is the same person as post #1. He is making trouble now in Bob's article "Culture of Common Man". Don't be trap in a QUAGMIRE. 😉
Hi Teng -Yeah I saw his/her post on Bob's article. Gosh, I never know anyone who is so bitter about the Philippines. He should just leave the Philippines and live somewhere that would make him happy. I felt sorry for him, he is trap on his own doing. He needs to find happiness somewhere. I hope God will give him peace of mind and guide him somewhere. Hmm. Maybe Basilan… 😉
Hi Feyma,
I think you've got a human virus in your site, be careful. But
Ha ha ha, you're soooo right! Basilan will be fun for Jae/Cris/ Carmen.
In response to your topic, it is really inherent in our culture to help and support one another. Education is really a must and so we sacrifice a lot just to send our children to school. Even if it means being separated from them.
The story I am going to tell you is about my Auntie Pilar, who lived with my family since she was 13 yrs old, and before I was born. My mother have seven children including me (of course!), and my Auntie Pilar was my mother's little helper.
She went to a public school in Santa Ana, Davao City with my mom as her benefactor. At thirteen years old, she went to school for the first time. She was very quiet and shy, I was told. Or was it out of embarassment being the oldest in grade one? I'm not really sure.
Many years later, she started working in my father's store so she could afford her college tuition. At this time she enrolled at the Harvardian University (i don't know if this shool still exists). My mother continued to provide support for her so she could have other essential things in life, other than school.
My Auntie Pilar got married and has three children. Although she finished BS Accounting, life in Phils. at that time had been very difficult. In short, she left the country to work as a nanny for an american consul in Taiwan. she's been working there for 20 years now. Her main goal has been to send her three daughters to school. Thank God, all three of them are now full pledged nurses and are awaiting visas for the U.S.
Auntie Pilar is still working there and will probably be there for a few more years until one of her daughters is able to petition her to live in the U.S. I love her very dearly and I am soooo looking foward to having her around. I can't wait for her to be here in California. I have a list of fun activities for her to enjoy.
Although she had been away from her daughters since her youngest was only 3 years old, with God's blessings all daughters are happy wonderful, responsible and loving young adults, who are committed to support her 100% when she retires.
To my Auntie Pilar, congratulations and a big big hug and kisses. Mabuhay!!!!!
Do you mean to say that Philippine people get good jobs after College? I have been married to a Philippine woman for 20 years now and I always thought it was a huge waste for families to send kids to College. They get done and then no job! I could never understand why they went to College. I always thought they did it for the bragging rights or something. I know they can sometimes get jobs outside the country. I would imagine that this is the goal for someone spending so much money on College in the PI.
It's just so sad that they have to go far away from their family to make it worth it.
Pete
Hi Pete,
I know what you mean and I completely agree with you.
My parents worked very hard to send their kids to school. Big sacrifices were made so the kids can attain a degree to enable them to get good jobs. Godd job equals good life. Our parents always told us that education is a priviledge that can be taken back if anyone is not giving their 100%. Our minds were conditioned, the only way to go after college is to GET A JOB! and if you don't you get that feeling that your relatives are giving you that silent look "LOSER!".
My family in general have zero tolerance for kids who are milking their parents of their tuition fees. I in particular get very upset towards the culprit. My husband's UNCLE and YOUNGER SISTER are very good examples. Both threir parents were sending U.S. $s for the UNCLE to finish medicine and my sister-in-law dentistry. The UNCLE was receiving 4 years of tuition fees and living allowances and was never enrolled in medicine school. The same thing with my sister-in-law, who spent a total of 12 years of college including dentistry and never graduated. Today, they are in the U.S., UNCLE as a sales clerk in Walmart, while sister-in-law became a registered dental assistant, who is still jobless at the moment after 5 years in the U.S.. It is very sad, but it is mostly the individual's attitude and their parents tolerating it and letting them become who they are now (KUNSINTIDOR). My mother-in-law is still paying part of my sister-in-law's needs, esp when it comes to her new baby.
Fortunately, most people that I know are doing very good, some of them have become the creme a la creme in their field of work. All of the people I know received their degree from the Philippines. Some are working in the Philippines and some abroad.
So back to your question if Phillipine people do actually get good jobs after college? Yes they do, if they get their lazy ass and stop being a potato couch and do something. There is nothing wrong with getting a minimum paying job in the beginning. Getting experience helps you develop skills and build great resume that will eventually lead you to a better paying job.
I hope one day your wife's nieces and nephews will get the break they deserve. Have a nice day Pete! 😀
Hi Pete:
I don't know what country you are from and I really don't know what you mean by "good" job. Anyway, here'one basic ilustration in the Phils. For one to become a HS teacher in English in the Phils, he or she has to finish a degree (college) in Education with major in English and pass the teacher's licensure exam to be qualified to teach specially in the public school. No one is allowed to teach in the Phil Educations System if he's not a college gradute !Teaching might not be a "good" job to some because it is not a high paying job, yet it is a vocation to many. They don't simply equate "good" job to money. It's more than that— something that is self-rewarding and fulfilling.
Personally, I feel so sad that some people think it's a waste of money to send children to college and get educated. I believe ignorance is more expensive. As for not having a job, it's more of a personal choice and/or the government's weakness for not being able to provide opportunities for professionals to work, hence the brain-drain syndrome. My feeling is, given the choice, filipinos still love to work in the Phils and be with their loved ones.
I would love my parents to be proud of what they did to us. They're the real deal– real heroes, who made a lot of sacrifices for us to get a good education and fulfill our dreams. And we'll pass this legacy to their grandchildren.
Hi Pete — I understand where you're coming from about college. In most western or developed countries (like the US), it is doable to develop a career minus a college degree. In fact, I was considering leaving college because my area of expertise does not place importance in a degree — My field focused more on portfolios rather than a degree, which is unheard of in the Philippines. But in the end, I finished mine partly because of justifying my college loans and wanting to reach a certain goal.
But that is just not feasible, in my opinion, in the Philippines.
In the Philippines however, I strongly recommend going for a college degree because if you look at even entry level jobs like a saleslady or cashier at a department store, college experience is usually needed to qualify for a job. Personally, I think it's overkill because a high school student could handle these type of work. But that is how it is in the Philippines.
You may have seen postings like this: wanted: saleslady – College graduate, pleasing personality 23-30 years old. Maybe even a height requirement … and these are low paying jobs!
A high school graduate would be hard pressed to start a viable career in the Philippines or even find one outside the country (Nursing, Physical Therapy, Engineering and Merchant Marine degrees are in demand). Of course, there are exceptions to the rule but that window is very small in a 3rd world country.
If a person is from a wealthy family, then he/she lucks out. But in wealthier, high-income classes, there is a stigma involved with one who is without a college education. They may be looked down upon. This is also why you also see so many of these kids breezing through college via daddy's money. You could say it's a cultural necessity to earn a degree.
Hello all, Feyma this is a very interesting topic. I graduated college as a working student. So are my sisters. Unfortunately our father passed away early and our mother left us. Thus we become working students.When we were working student we chip-in money for tuition fees for our younger brothers and the student-teacher year of our eldest. When our eldest graduated and found a job in line with her chosen degree, she then took the responsibility of sending our younger brothers to finish high school and college.Right now, I took the responsibility of sending my eldest niece to college and in return she will then send one of her younger sister or brother to college when they reach college age. This is the passing along the responsibilities in my family.
By the way, your right that Jae/Cris was over exagerating the population of each classroom. I experienced both private and public universities, we didn't have that many students ratio in a classroom.
Hello Jul and Pete, Jul is very right about the qualification needed before a teacher is hired in Philippines. To add to that, in public schools you will not be hired if your not a licensed passer.
By the way, here in US, teachers are not highly paid either. Neither in Europe, that's why there are a lot of exchange teachers. I guess across the world, teachers salary is always overlook by the budget committee.
wow u know i read most of these blog replys and i was in the pines married a philippines woman (a very wonderful woman too) and as far as i can figure it out the people with money send there kids to school or collage and the ones who can't afford it, their kids are out working on the streets making money for the family..manila ,cebu ,cagayan de oro , gingoog city ..eveywhere…i could go on with this but i won't ..i enjoy the pines and its people… builta house there too..ummmm fresh seafood