Schools defy DepEd’s warning on collecting graduation fees

Militant student groups revealed that more than 95 schools all over the county continue to collect graduation fees from students and parents despite repeated warnings by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Students led by the Kabataan Partylist and the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) trooped in front of the DepEd main office in Pasig city to demand an immediate issuance of an order to refund all fees collected from students by the schools that have violated the  department’s “no graduation fee policy.”

NUSP high school chairman Babaylan Garduce said that their partial count, based on the Kabataaan Partylist Hotline, showed that at least 95 schools were reportedly collecting fees for the graduation.

The complaint hotline was launched over two weeks ago to monitor and list down complaints of students and parents about their schools.

“It is our position that school administrations should not impose graduation and other corollary fees on our students and parents as these fees are inconsistent with long-standing government policy of making basic education free and accessible to our youth. It is our belief that whatever fees that had already been paid by our students in this regard must be refunded and all further plans to impose such be suspended,” Garduce said.

The student groups urged a strict monitoring and implementing the department order.

Kabataan Partylist also submitted a letter requesting a dialogue to the Department of Education.

“We will bring along complaining parents and students in order to substantiate the complaints and provide them an adequate opportunity to address their grievances,” the group said.

Earlier, newly appointed Education Secretary Mona Valisno warned school officials to strictly adhere to the “no graduation fee” policy stressing that graduation ceremonies should be done simply.

She added that instead of lavish celebration, education officials should focus on attaining quality of education.

She vowed to initiate the filing of proper charges on school officials who may violate existing rules and regulations governing the holding of graduation ceremonies.

Earlier, former education secretary, Jesli Lapus issued Department of Education Order No. 13 Series of 2010 concerning the observance of austerity, economy and simplicity in closing and graduation ceremonies in both public and private schools in the country.

While the order allowed Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to solicit minimal voluntary contributions from members for graduation ceremonies and celebration, teachers and principals should not be involved in it.

The contributions are to be coordinated with and properly reported to the PTA, the order stated, adding that no non-academic project will be imposed as a requirement for graduation.

The Education department said schools can hold their graduation rites from March 29 to April 9.

The department issued the call in the wake of reports and complaints that graduating pupils and students in some schools are being asked to pay exorbitant fees. –James Konstantin Galvez, Manila Times