When it comes to choosing the school for my kids, one of my top criterias is the location of the school.  Considering that we still have the option to move near any school that we want (us having no permanent address on in Metro Manila), it is quite easy.  For the other parents (like those who have dream homes somewhere and can’t move that much), the choices are limited.

School location is normally associated with money and risks, at least for me.  For one, its but practical to send your kids in the school nearest to your place to avoid high school bus fees and/or transportation expenses.  Most Pinoy parents will prefer this given the cost of “hatid-sundo” (transport service arrangement) with the local school bus or probably an arrangement with a cab.  If you are someone who has the money to spend, you will probably pay for the cost of the driver, the daily gasoline requirements and the car maintenance to bring your kids to school.

But more importantly, it is the risk of the trip that is a major concern to me.  I think most parents can still earn the transportation expenses for their kids schooling (or else they will probably just let their kids walk to and from school).  The thought of accidents or crimes while my kids are in transit makes me cringe not to mention the potential kidnapping cases that can happen (which is a bit normal in the Philippines).

If you’re like me, you will probably spend some time checking your kids with their yayas and “sundo” just to make sure everything is OK. I reckon that in the onset, I did not even consider that I need to provide free cellphone and “pasaloads (cellphone loads)” to my yaya.  So the costs are high as your choice of school gets farther.  I cannot imagine sending my kids 2 cities away from me but its becoming a problem going next year because we are not so happy with my kid’s school as of the moment.

So choosing the right school involves choosing the place where the school is located.  If you are not like me (meaning you don’t care about the money and you are sure, with all your might, that you can take care of your kids while they are in transit, then this should not be an issue.  But if it is otherwise, then factor your kid’s school location before signing up that application form.

You might be saving money or stress in the long run.