Why DepEd prohibits the collection of contributions during the enrollment period?

Some parents are wondering why we prohibit the collection of contributions during the enrolment period. They asked where our schools will get money to pay the barangay tanods. We prohibit the collection of contributions in compliance with the mandate embodied in DepEd Order No. 65, s. 2010 (GENERAL GUIDELINES ON THE OPENING OF CLASSES, INCLUDING COLLECTION OF SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS, ENROLLMENT, STUDENT UNIFORMS AND RELEASE OF MOOE). Specifically, the following reasons are taken into account: Some children are deprived of basic education because they have no money to pay for their enrolment and other fees. The 1987 Constitution provides in Article 14, Sec. 2.1 that the State shall establish and maintain, a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children, elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age. 2. Adequate amounts proportionate to the enrolment size will be released to every public school in cash by Schools Division Superintendents through the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), specified in DepEd Order No. 65, s. 2010 paragraph 2.IV, to ensure that operating funds are available at the start of and throughout the school year. 3. In Region VII for SY 2009-2010, the participation rate of children in the elementary level was 81.38% which means that 18.62% or 186,793 children of elementary school age were out of school. In the secondary level the participation rate was 54.49% which means that 45.51% or 279,430 children of high school age were out of school. There is no iota of doubt that 466,223 children of basic education school age in Region 1.

VII which were out of school last school year and have not availed of free basic education should be of serious concern to us all. 4. The Philippines has signed an agreement during a World Conference on Education for All (EFA) in Jomtien, Thailand on March 5-9, 1990 and committed a 100% participation rate of school-age children by 2015. However, this target has been adjusted to 95% for the elementary level and 80% for the secondary level. 5. Parents should not be burdened with financial responsibilities in enrolling their children in public schools. They will organize themselves as Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) 15 days after the opening of classes, as provided for in DepEd Order No. 54, s. 2009 (REVISED GUIDELINES GOVERNING PARENTS -TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS (PTAs) AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL). Nonetheless, PTAs are not allowed to collect contribution unless they can submit audited financial statements to the school principals, accounting for every centavo they collected from parents the previous school year, before they can collect contributions for School Year 20102011. They may collect the amount agreed upon by PTA members during the general assembly, on voluntary basis, one month after opening of classes. PTA contributions shall be collected by the PTA Treasurer. Teachers and School Heads are prohibited to collect PTA contributions. It must be emphasized that no school project can be undertaken by the PTA without approval from the school head and incorporated in the SIP (School Improvement Plan) which is collaboratively prepared by the School Head, PTA President, Student Council/Pupil Government President, President of the Faculty Club, Chairman of the Committee on Education of the Barangay or Municipality, church and NGO representatives and other stakeholders in the community.

Very certainly, DepEd welcomes contributions from parents, and other stakeholders. In fact, it launched the Adopt-A-School Program, to generate resources for the construction of buildings, purchase of textbooks, hiring of teachers, and other school-related concerns. It is a reality that public funds are never enough for public education; hence, DepEd needs the support and cooperation of parents, community leaders, and stakeholders in responding to its resource needs in order to achieve the goal of quality basic education. We therefore appeal to all parents, community and other stakeholders to support all programs and projects initiated by PTAs, duly approved by School Principals, but we must comply strictly with the NO COLLECTION POLICY as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 19, s. 2008 (IMPLEMENTATION OF NO COLLECTION POLICY IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS) during the opening of classes. If there are still collections made by teachers, or school officials, parents are advised to file their complaints directly with DepEd 7 Action Centers in the regional and division offices with the following hotlines: DepEd Region VII (032)414-7326; 414-7366; 0918-922-7286; Bais City Division (035) 40223732; Bayawan City Division (035) 228-3089; Bohol Division (038)501-7537; Cebu Province (032)255-6405; Cebu City (032)255-1516; Danao City (032)200-4021; Dumaguete City (035)422-8500; Lapu-Lapu City (032)340-7354; Mandaue City (032)345-1553; Negros Oriental (035)422-7644; Siquijor (035)4841175; Tagbilaran City (038)501-9449; Talisay City (032)-272-4635; Tanjay City (035)-415-9360; Toledo City (032) 322-6038; and Guihulngan City (035) 410-4066.