Education Secretary Armin Luistro reminded public school officials that there should be no collection of any kind of fees, even on a “voluntary” basis, when schools reopen on June 3.
Luistro said the collection of fees on the first day of classes discourage poor parents and guardians from sending their children to school.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has advised the public to report unauthorized collections by calling its DETxt hotlines (02) 6361663 and (02) 6331942 or e-mailing action@deped.gov.ph.
“There is an urgent need to minimize, if not eliminate, financial constraints among parents during the opening of classes,” he said.
Nearly 21 million students are expected to troop back to some 46,000 public elementary and high schools on June 3.
Private schools are scheduled to resume classes a week later.
For school year 2013-2014, DepEd’s projected enrollment in public schools is 20,810,781 consisting of 15,091,653 kindergarten and elementary (Grades 1 to 6) students and 5,719,128 secondary (Grades 7 to 10) students.
Luistro said only 80 percent of the projected student enrollment signed up during the early registration period last Jan. 26. The rest are expected to enroll right on the first day of classes.
Under the guidelines on the opening of classes spelled out in DepEd Order No. 41 series 2012, Luistro ordered that absolutely no fees shall be collected from pupils in kindergarten up to Grade 4 during the entire year.
On the other hand, some minimal fees may be asked from the parents of students in Grade 5 up to Grade 10 (fourth year high school) so long as they are not compulsory.
But such fees should only be collected starting August, according to the DepEd order.
DepEd prohibits school officials, teachers and other school personnel from handling Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) funds even for safekeeping.
“Let me be clear on this: In no case shall nonpayment of voluntary school contributions or membership fees be made a basis for nonadmission, nonpromotion or nonissuance of clearance to a student. And that includes withholding of report cards,” Luistro said.