DepEd to punish teachers who ask for school fees

The Department of Education will be sanctioning teachers found to be collecting mandatory fees in schools as requirement for enrollment.

DepEd assistant regional director Recaredo Borgonia said in a press conference yesterday that students in Grades 1 to 4 are completely free from any school fees while those from Grades 5 and up until high school should not be forced to contribute, instead they will only be asked to when they are able.

“Students in public elementary and secondary schools have a right to enroll without being compelled to pay any amount as a requirement for enrolment,” Borgonia said.

Borgonia issued this statement in response to complaints from parents on various fees being collected during enrolment day.

The department released the guidelines through Order No. 22 series of 2005, directing the education officials and schools that contributions for Boy/Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Philippine National Red Cross and Anti-TB Education and Fund Drive may be collected at any time during the year including the enrolment period provided that a student has already enrolled and these contributions are voluntary.

“The payment of such contributions shall not be made a requirement for admission or for the release of report cards, and test results, or for clearance purposes in case of transfer of students to other schools,” the order says.

“Teachers and other school personnel are prohibited from collecting said contributions. The organizations will assign their own personnel to collect contributions/membership fees at the school level.  In cases where they do not have such personnel, DepEd suggests that the organizations initiate arrangements with the school’s PTA or PTCA to authorize the PTA or PTCA treasurer to collect contributions in their behalf,” Borgonia said.

He added that if a teacher will be found collecting mandatory fees he or she will suspended for six months.

Aside from forced collection, Borgonia said that they have also approved the idea of President Arroyo not to require first graders to wear school uniforms.  -Jasmin R. Uy/BRP