The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Naga unanimously approved a resolution authored by education committee chairman Nelson Legacion, reminding school officials in the city about the Department of Education's (DepEd) "no collection policy".
In the resolution, Legacion expressed concern over reports that some public elementary and secondary schools in the city were collecting fees from students and parents presently during enrolment. The city councilor said that some of the reports and complaints were verified in Sabang Elementary School.
The education committee chairman reiterated DepEd's 2008 order no. 19, strictly implementing a "no collection policy". The same order allows collections for year levels beyond Grade 4 but only "on a voluntary basis". A similar order in 2008, no. 23, provides that for collections made on a voluntary basis by the Parents-Teachers Council/Association (PTAs/PTCA), "non-payment of such contribution by the parent-member shall not be a basis for non-admission and non-issuance of clearance(s) of his/her child/children by the school concerned."
Legacion added that despite constant reminders from the local government, the practice of mandatory collection in some city schools have persisted.
The city council also expressed its concern over the involvement of school officials and teachers, saying that there is an urgent need to strictly enforce the DepEd's orders and city ordinances in line with the orders.