Schools reminded not to collect enrolment fees

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City councilor Edgardo Labella is reminding Education officials in the city of the existing ordinance that prohibits the collection of advance payment or contributions from the students of public elementary and high schools during enrolment.

Labella said City Ordinance No. 1813 strictly prohibits school officials and teachers from soliciting contributions or donations either in cash or materials as a requirement for the enrolment of the children.

Aside from the city ordinance, the Department of Education also issued DepEd Order No. 40, Series of 2009, that mandates for the continued implementation of no collection policy in all public elementary and secondary schools during the opening of classes.    

“It is the policy of the State to establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels as mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” Labella reminded the school officials.

Labella is afraid that despite of said prohibitions there are still misguided school officials who will insist to collect contributions and other donations from the enrollees.

“Adding woes to the cash-strapped parents of students is the tendency of some misguided city public school teachers and administrators to initiate the collection of so called voluntary contributions from pupils and students and making the same a pre-requisite for the enrollment,” he said.

Labella has sponsored a resolution to be discussed before the City Council on Wednesday asking DepEd city schools superintendent Lorna Rances to see to it that the enrollment phase for this school year 2009-2010 will not be marred by the occurrence of the illegal practice of collecting unreasonable and unauthorized contributions from pupils or students. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)