DepEd: Fees, records problems hound last-minute school preps

Problems over tuition and other school fees as well as lack of school credentials hounded parents in the last weekend before the start of the new school year, the Department of Education said Monday. Education Secretary Mona Valisno said they received 284 cases over the weekend, most of them involving school records and tuition and other fees. "Noong Linggo naka-receive kami ng 284 cases (including) call, text, email and walk-in (As of Sunday alone, we received 284 cases, via call, text, email and walk-in)," Valisno said in an interview on dzRH radio. She said that of these 284, 86 involved payment of school fees and tuition, while 102 involved assistance in getting the needed school records.

Valisno said that as of Monday morning, 276 of these cases had been resolved, while eight are still being processed. The students who cannot find the proper school records will be given accreditation tests, she said. "Basta lahat, ang no-collection policy ipapatupad. Nakikiusap kami sa lahat, pumasok sila kahit walang credentials. Ang importante education for all (We will strictly enforce the no-collection policy. We encourage students to go to school even without the needed records to show their credentials. What is important is that there will be education for all)," she said. Valisno also encouraged parents and students to call or text the DepEd through its hotlines at 6361663 and 6387529 to 31; and text line at 0919-4560027. — RSJ, GMANews.TV