FAST FACTS: What are Philippine Schools Overseas?

MANILA, Philippines – Alongside the growth in the number of Filipinos living or working abroad came the establishment of schools providing Philippine education to their dependents.

Called Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs), they are registered private educational institutions that are implementing the curriculum set by the Department of Education (DepEd) but operating outside the country.

Here are some fast facts on PSOs:

What are their objectives?

PSOs aim to provide accessible education to children of Filipinos abroad. They also help these children with smoother integration into the Philippine education system should their families return to the country.

In addition, Filipino youth overseas can learn and appreciate Philippine culture as PSOs become venues for activities for the Filipino community in their area.

When did they come about?

Children of embassy officials were known to be the first students of PSOs.

Among the first Philippine schools to operate abroad was the Philippine School in Saudi Arabia, which is currently called the International Philippine School in Jeddah. 

Established in 1981, the school was meant to provide education for the dependents of officials and staff of the Philippine consulate in Jeddah and the Filipino community. 

But the formal establishment of PSOs occurred over a decade later, as the DepEd, then called the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports, received more inquiries regarding the operation of schools outside of the country intended for dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), a memorandum of agreement was signed by several agencies in 1995 to form an inter-agency committee for Philippine schools abroad.

In 2000, then-president Joseph Estrada signed Executive Order No. 252 to strengthen the policy-making body, establishing the Inter-Agency Committee for Philippine Schools Overseas (IACPSO).

The DepEd and the Department of Foreign Affairs are the co-chairs of the IACPSO. Other members are the CFO, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Where are PSOs located?

As of early 2026, there are 35 operational PSOs across 11 countries, based on CFO data. They have around 25,000 students combined, from preschool to high school.

PSOs are concentrated in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are the top destinations of OFWs.

There are 11 in Saudi Arabia, 10 in the UAE, two each in Kuwait and Qatar, and one each in Bahrain and Oman.

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East prompted the DepEd to check the status of teachers, staff, and students of PSOs there. The department recently discussed with school officials their crisis communication protocols, academic flexibility based on host country regulations, and other matters regarding operations.

In Southeast Asia, Cambodia and Timor-Leste have one PSO each. There are also three PSOs in Europe — two of them in Italy and one in Greece — and another three PSOs in the North African country of Libya.

The names and addresses of the 35 PSOs are in this CFO list.

Who owns, manages PSOs?

PSOs have to secure a valid permit to operate from host countries before applying for accreditation from the DepEd.

They need to comply with the requirements and regulations of the Philippine government and of their host countries.

The IACPSO classifies PSOs into four categories based on ownership:

• Category I – Non-stock, non-profit institutions established and controlled by Filipino community volunteers, nongovernment organizations, or religious groups
• Category II – Institutions which are fully owned and controlled by Filipino citizens as an enterprise
• Category III – Institutions which are partly owned by Filipino citizens, or which are managed and operated by Filipino citizens under sponsorship of a foreign national
• Category IV – Institutions which are fully owned by foreign nationals, but managed and operated by Filipino citizens

Eighteen of the 35 PSOs are Category IV, based on the CFO list.

Do PSOs need to implement DepEd reforms?

Yes, PSOs should be aligned with changes set forth by the DepEd to be consistent with Philippine education standards.

For instance, DepEd officials conducted a virtual session with PSO heads last Friday, April 17, to explain key reforms that will start in school year 2026-2027.

Changes in the education system include the shift to a three-term school calendar, revised guidelines on classroom assessment and grading systems, and the Strengthened Senior High School Program. 

For the implementation of the three-term school calendar, the DepEd said PSOs will be given a transition period and the freedom to adjust based on their situation and the context in their host nations. – Rappler.com