No such thing as ‘graduation fees,’ DepEd says

MANILA, Philippines—The Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs of the Department of Education reiterated his call Tuesday against the collection of “graduation fees” from elementary and High School students finishing from government-run institutions, but said that voluntary contributions for the graduations rites will still be accepted.

“There is no such thing as ‘graduation fees.’ Graduation rites should be kept simple, but meaningful for the graduating students,” Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

However, Umali said the department would still allow voluntary contribution from parents who would want to donate anything to make their child’s graduation a more memorable one.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM. Jamie Marie Elona