DepEd bans collection of any fees from school kids

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus yesterday ordered school heads to strictly prohibit the collection of any fees from public school students during the entire month of June.

“Bring all children to school and make sure they do not shell out a single centavo. The Constitution guarantees free public education for elementary and high schools,” Lapus told school heads. “Any violation will subject the erring DepEd personnel to sanctions.”

DepEd Order No. 48 s. 2009 states that there will be absolutely no collection of fees during the enrolment period and the first month of classes at all levels.

For students in Grade 5 to fourth year high school, contributions for BSP, GSP, PTCA, Red Cross, Anti-TB Fund and school publications may be collected starting July but only on a voluntary basis.

For pupils in pre-school to Grade 4, there will be absolutely no collection of fees for the entire school year.

Lapus stressed the purchase of identification cards will come from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the school. He also directed schools division superintendents to release the MOOE of schools without fiscal autonomy in the form of cash advances.

“The government is undertaking all efforts to make education accessible to all Filipinos, waiving even the requirement to wear school uniforms to further ease the parents’ financial burden,” Lapus explained.

DepEd expects over 13.1 million elementary pupils and 5.6 million high school students in public schools for School Year 2009-2010. –Jason Faustino, Daily Tribune