The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday reminded officials of the public kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools of the department’s policy against collecting any form of fees from students. Education Secretary Armin Luistro made this reminder as schools prepare for the opening of classes on June 3. Based on DepEd Order 41 series of 2012 (“Revised guidelines on the opening of classes”), Luistro has directed all school officials that no fees shall be collected from school children in kindergarten up to Grade 4 anytime during school year 2013-2014. For Grade 5 pupils up to 4th year high school students, there will be no collection from June to July 2013. There is an urgent need to minimize, if not eliminate, financial constraints among parents during the opening of classes,” Luistro said in a statement. While the contributions may be voluntary, the fact that they are collected on the first day of classes may intimidate some parents,” he added. Luistro also made it clear that failure to pay voluntary school contributions or membership fees cannot be made a basis “for non-admission, non-promotion or non-issuance of clearance to a student. And that includes withholding of report cards.”

The education department has advised public to report unauthorized collections to its hotlines (02)636-1663 and (02)633-1942 or email it to action@deped.gov.ph.