Group relaunches hotline vs excessive grad fees

MANILA, Philippines - A child welfare group on Monday re-launched a hotline where parents and concerned individuals can report complaints against collection of any forms of graduation fees and non-academic requirements for graduation in all public elementary and high schools nationwide. 

The re-launch of the Akap Bata partylist group’s Grad Fee Monitor 2013 campaign was held a month before the scheduled graduation season in primary and secondary level on March 18 and 19.

The group said it initiated and set-up a hotline and complaint desk to further inform the public that there is an existing Department of Education Order # 9, series of 2013 that prohibits public elementary and high schools to collect graduation fee and any kind of contribution for graduation rites.

Members of Akap Bata said the order also reiterates that "no non-academic projects should be imposed as requirements for graduation" and that "no extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required." 

The Education department also added that "graduation rites shall not be used as political forum."

Akap Bata Party-List announced that hotline (02) 437-6831 and Twitter hashtag #GradFeeMonitor, among other feedback mechanisms,  may be used by the public to send their complaints and reports about excessive graduations fees.

Starting today onward the actual graduation season, the monitoring campaign will be accepting callers from Mondays to Sunday from 8 a.m.  until 8 p.m. 

All reports that the group will be receiving will be compiled and will be sent directly to the Office of DepEd chief Armin Luistro for immediate action.

"We believe that as prices of basic commodities and services including power rate and oil products steadily rise up today, all forms of charges to be imposed against our graduating students this year will be considered exorbitant and unjust," Arlene Brosas, national secretary-general of Akap Bata, said. - Dennis Carcamo