Thursday, March 06, 2008 DepEd warns school heads v. graduation fees By Victor L. Camion
NEGROS Oriental Division Superintendent Glicerio Napao has warned school heads and teachers against the collection of any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.
Napao said he will not hesitate to file any charges against teachers and principals who will be involved in the collection of contributions for the graduation rites.
He said a copy of the order issued by the Department of Education has been sent to all public schools in the province.
Secretary Jesli Lapus reiterates the department's policy on the conduct and collection of fees for gradation rites.
"Public school are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites," said Napao quoting the DepEd order.
He, however, said Parents Teachers Community Associations (PTCA) may solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations.
"Teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection," he added.
Napao said that during his time as principal of the Negros Oriental High School he did not allow contributions for graduation.
"I want simple graduation rites," he said, adding, "Even if majority members of the PTCA shall agree of any amount for contribution but there are few who cannot afford to pay, I encourage them to go with the fewer."
Unless, the majority will shoulder the excess of the amount that the poor can only afford to, he said.
He admitted that there are parents who wanted to have a prosperous graduation with their children.
"Its up to them but that is out of school premises and liabilities," Napao explained.
He admitted that the schools have no budget for medals and ribbons.
Graduation fees should be used for medals and ribbons. Solicitation to local government units is allowed, he said.
Napao, however, assured that the division office of Negros Oriental has already prepares the certificates of graduation.
Non-academic project
He also warned teachers who wanted to collect payment for the so-called non-academic project before the student will be allowed to join the graduation rites.
"When I was a principal of the provincial high school here, I told them, do not ask requirements that are not related to the subject, a student failed," he said.
He stressed that he received reports that some students were asked to submit among others, broom, coconut husk, and money in exchange with a complete grades.
Napao emphasized that Secretary Lapus renewed his warning.
"No non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation," Napao said quoting DepEd order.
Contributions for the annual yearbook shall also be on a voluntary basis, he said.
