DepEd vows action vs schools collecting fees from students

The Department of Education (Deped) vowed swift action against schools that collect fees from students during enrollment, an official said. The Department will call the attention of principal of schools that continue to collect fees from students, Education Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said in a radio interview. "Tatawagin namin ang attention ng principal sa iskwelahan na yan, we will call the attention of the principal (We will call the attention of the principals involved)," Malaya said in an interview on dzXL radio. Parents and guardians can call his office at 6337224 to report the collection. Last week, the DepEd reminded parents and school administrators of the government's "no-collection" policy. Education Secretary Mona Valisno stressed pupils should not be made to pay various fees at the start of school, lest they be discouraged from attending classes. The policy applies to schoolchildren enrolling in preschool up to Grade IV. "No fees shall be collected from schoolchildren enrolling in preschool up to Grade 4 during the enrolment period and at any time during the school year," Valisno said in DepEd Order No. 65 dated May 19. Under the order, Boy and Girl Scout fees should amount to P50 per learner, while the Anti-TB fees should amount to P5. PTA fees will be determined by the Board of Directors. School publication fees should not exceed P60 for elementary students and P90 for high school students. Membership in student organizations will be based on existing school policies. Class sizes should range from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 60 pupils. When possible, classes from Grades I to IV should not exceed 40 pupils per class. — RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV