DepEd Fees Collection Policy Clarified

Naga City(May 20, 2011) – Collection of miscellaneous fees should be approved by the Parent-Teacher Association(PTA) so that no parent will complain when it is implemented, but first no student in public school should be denied enrollment because of non-payment of such fees.

This was the gist of the general policy on fees collection in public schools that Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro will formalize in a Memorandum Circular that he will issue come enrollment time this year.

Sec. Luistro in an interview by Vox Bikol cited the problem being encountered by parents during enrollment when teachers and schools officials impose the collection of fees before a child can be enrolled. The PTA is allowed to collect fees that will be used for the operation of the school. What is important is that parents are informed and are in agreement on the collection of these fees.

He confirmed that in the entire Camarines Sur there will be no fees to be collected because the local government of the province through Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte has subsidized the fees.

The provincial government of Camarines Sur has allocated P30M pesos for the subsidy of school fees.

The student is the ‘real boss’

"The 'real boss' of education in the Philippines is the student in public school." This was the message Sec. Luistro clearly said before parents, students, teachers and politicians.

According to Sec. Luistro, even though there is a 'no collection policy', voluntary fund raising of Parent- Teacher Association/Parent, Teacher and Community Association is allowed. It is because in the schooling of a kid, anything that is free has no worth, Lusitro said.

He also asked the mayors and governors to conduct a surprise visit to schools to check the cleanliness of their surroundings, especially the toilets, and to check if the teachers report on time. Luistro said the teachers will gain the respect of the community by being good role models, not just in words but also through actions.

He invited all children who are 5 years old to enroll in kindergarten.

Sec. Luistro and Gov. LRay Villafuerte signed a memorandum of agreement stating that all contribution of public schools will be shouldered by the local government of Camarines Sur. (With reports from Ernie Verdadero and Nadtja Villaver)