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Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Public school execs deny collecting enrolment fees
By Reynaldo G. Navales
MABALACAT -- Officials of a public elementary school said Tuesday they do not collect enrolment fees from pupils for next school year.
The school officials, who are from the Dau Central Elementary School (DCES), issued the statement following news reports that some public elementary and secondary schools are asking various fees from enrollees.
A group of parents earlier denounced the alleged compulsory collection of various fees in public schools in the town.
Victoria Tayao, principal of DCES, said their school only receives authorized and voluntary contributions of P500 from enrollees.
Authorized contributions include Boy Scout or Girl Scout of the Philippines membership fee, P40; BSP/GSP Roll of Honor, P10; Red Cross, P35; anti-tuberculosis fee, P5; School Organ, P50; and identification card, 20. The voluntary contributions, on the other hand, are for the resource materials (testing), P70; physical education, P20; guidance, quest, inset, and EMis, P35; Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) projects, P25; school repair and maintenance, P20; electric bill, P100; and janitorial and security services, P70.
Tayao however clarified that the P340 voluntary contribution was approved by the parents themselves during a general assembly on April 10.
She said authorized and voluntary contributions from the pupils are not requisites for enrolment. "The pupils may enroll without paying these contributions," she said.
The school principal disclosed that the officers of the school's Grade Level Councils, which consist of parents, are the ones handling the collection of fees.
She said parents may pay the amount in installment basis all throughout the school year. She admitted that the education department and the National Government have no sufficient funds for these school expenses.
Marla Manansala, vice chairman of the Grade Level Councils, said that the admission of enrollees in the school is not discrimatory. She said even those who failed to pay fees in the previous school year are being registered.
Parents who complained earlier disclosed that teachers in a public school here refused to enroll children who failed to pay voluntary fees last year.
They claimed that the report cards of students who did not give contributions are being held by teachers. They added that school officials are not following the guidelines being issued by the education department.
A department order issued last year stated that students in public elementary and secondary schools have the right to enroll without being compelled to pay any amounts as requirement for enrolment.
The DCES administration is expecting about 4,000 enrollees this coming school year, said Tayao.
(May 31, 2006 issue)
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