MANILA, Philippines–Soon, parent-teacher associations (PTAs) and public schools will be prohibited from collecting fees from students as a requirement for enrollment or graduation.
In a regular session last week, the Quezon City Council approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance prohibiting public school officials and PTAs from making students pay fees, even on a voluntary basis, before allowing them to enroll or graduate.
The measure, which seeks to punish violators with a fine of up to P5,000 and imprisonment of one year, still has to be signed into law by Mayor Herbert Bautista and published in a newspaper of general circulation before it takes effect.
According to the councilors, despite the free education offered in the city’s public elementary and secondary schools, some parents hesitate to enroll their kids because of the practice that goes against the constitutional guarantee of education for all. This was also the reason cited for the increasing number of dropouts.
They further said that while there were collections sanctioned by the Department of Education such as Girl/Boy Scout membership fees and for fundraising purposes, these were strictly voluntary.
The councilors pointed out that the ordinance would ensure that public education would be truly accessible to all and eradicate graft and corruption in the public school system by penalizing persons “who serve as obstacles to the dreams and aspirations of persevering students and parents.”
Apart from banning the unnecessary collection of fees, the draft ordinance requires school heads, principals and PTA presidents to post an announcement on authorized school fees and contributions to be collected from students along with a notification that these are to be paid “on voluntary basis.”
Violators of the ordinance face a fine of P5,000 or a year’s imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court. This is without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate administrative charge.
The public school head, principal and PTA president will be fined P1,000 each should they fail to comply with the notification requirement.
According to data from its website, there are 99 elementary schools and 48 high schools being run by the city government.