MANILA, Philippines -- Schoolchildren in more than 100 public schools across the country shelled out P9.26 million in 2006 to maintain their school computers and computer laboratories, according to the Commission on Audit.

The 2006 COA report said the Department of Education’s failure to allocate funds for the maintenance of computers and laboratories went against its policy of providing "free basic education" to all public school students from whom the fees were collected.

"Inadequate facilities and resources to maintain and sustain the computerization program will result in an additional financial burden for schoolchildren and their parents," the COA said.

The COA said the computer fees -- ranging from P5 to P120 -- were collected through parent-teacher-community associations for the purchase of desktop computers to replace worn-out and obsolete units and computer parts.

Honoraria for teachers

The fees collected from the students were also used for honoraria for teachers, wages of computer technicians and operating costs of computer laboratories, which included supplies, materials, electricity and security guards.

This was true of schools particularly in Regions VIII and X, the COA noted.

The report said the Division of Baguio collected a total of P2.671 million in computer fees; the Division of Abra, P133,000, and Mountain Province, P231,805.

Sarrat National High School in Ilocos Norte received P32,380 from its students; San Nicolas National High School in Pangasinan collected the same amount.

A total of P72,600 in computer fees was collected in Candon National High School; P56,250 in Bacsil National High School; P169,000, Ilocos Sur National High School; P261,000, Sinait National High School in Ilocos Sur, and P415,440, La Union National High School.

At Anislag National High School in Albay, the report said the P40 to P360 students paid in computer fees for nine months amounted to P21,570.

Sixty-seven national high schools in Region VI collected over P4.102 million, while 24 elementary schools in Region VIII collected P110,300 from its students.

Contrary to policy

Six secondary schools in Region IX, under the Zamboanga del Norte Division Office, collected P148,996.54.

In Region X, students in 43 public high schools contributed P799,870.08.

"Other than the lack of uniformity in the rates collected, the manner and procedure of accounting for the receipts and disbursements could be contrary to DepEd's existing policy of providing free basic education to all schoolchildren," the report said.

The COA also noted that students who could not afford to pay the computer fees shifted to other courses such as technology and livelihood.

This defeated the goal of the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Trade and Industry which was to give students free access to computers, the report said.

The COA recommended the DepEd allow schools to include an amount in their proposed budgets for the repair, maintenance and purchase of computers and their laboratories to avoid having to get the money from their students.