By Nanette Guadalquiver/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Negros Occidental has reminded public school officials in the province on the “no collection” policy during the school year.
The reminder is stated in Memorandum No. 199, series of 2019 issued by Schools Division Superintendent Portia Mallorca as the school year 2019-2020 opens on Monday.
“No fees shall be collected from school children in preschool up to Grade IV during the enrolment period and at any time during the school year,” said Mallorca in the memo.
She added that for grade levels beyond Grade IV, “no collection of any type should be undertaken during the enrolment period and the first month of classes”.
However, starting on the second month, contributions may already be collected but “on a voluntary basis”, she noted.
These include fees for Boy/Girl Scout membership, Red Cross membership, anti-tuberculosis (TB) fund drive, Parents-Teachers Association, school publication, and membership in student organizations.
Mallorca said the PTA may start to collect fees only after presenting to their members and the school administration a report on the utilization of the previous year’s collections.
The school publication fee shall not exceed PHP60 per elementary pupil and PHP90 per high school student, she added.
In the same memo, Mallorca also said that public elementary and secondary school officials, in cooperation with the local officials, should ensure that pre-registered learners should report on the first day of classes.
She added that learners who are not pre-registered must proceed to the enrolment desk located in the principal’s office, guidance office, or any strategic location in the school for enrolment and subsequent placement in specific section.
The DepEd official also directed class advisers to take note of the learners’ first date of attendance since only those with a first date of attendance and complete documentary requirements should be considered officially enrolled.
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