DepEd renews warning vs school fees collection
A woman shops for a school uniform for her son at a sidewalk store in Cebu City’s downtown area. Classes in public schools will begin on June 3. FERDINAND EDRALIN
CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) 7 reiterated its warning that public schools are not allowed to collect school fees during enrollment.
DepEd 7 Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon said this is implemented so that parents who still need to buy school supplies will not be burdened.
“We never allowed collection of fees during enrollment and we are ready to take action if we receive reports that this policy is violated,” Dulangon said in a phone interview yesterday.
Although contributions for Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) are allowed for students in Grades 5 and 6, Dulangon pointed out that these fees are “not compulsory.”
She urged those who give reports of schools collecting compulsory fees to identify themselves.
“We accept reports as long as these are not anonymous. It will be hard for us once the school denies. It would seem like we’re accusing without basis,” Dulangon stressed.
Dulangon also urged teachers and parents to be “vigilant” against bullying, both physical and online.
“To the teachers, always monitor bullying. On June 3, we will welcome our students and make them feel good,” she said in reaction to the recent death of 12-year-old Fil-Am Gabrielle Molina, who killed herself in New York after being allegedly “cyber-bullied” by her classmates.
Dulangon also encouraged parents to always advise their children about bullying and to report incidents immediately.
“Usually, children do not tell that they have been bullied. Parents should find a way for their children to reveal what they have gone through,” she added.
The director also advised teachers to be partial in dealing with bullying cases. Dulangon also said that teachers can also become bullies themselves once they start harassing their students verbally and physically.
“Although child abuse ang tawag ana, kung makasulti sila’g dili mao sa ilang mga estudyante, that’s a form of bullying,” she pointed out.
Dulangon also told teachers to “teach and ingrain in the hearts of students the value of respecting others.”
“Each one has feelings, so we should try not to hurt each other physically, and make each one a source of peace,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, DepEd will activate the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) and the Public Assistance Station (PAS) on June 1 to 8, 2013 to ensure the smooth opening of classes.
Dulangon, in a memorandum, enjoined all field and school officials to support this campaign to ensure that all school children are enrolled.
The OBE and PAS are primarily aimed to address problems commonly encountered during this period to ensure that pupils and students are properly enrolled and able to attend school by the first day of classes.
OBE is also an inter-agency effort wherein other government agencies involved in school opening matters will compose the Oplan Balik Eskwela-Inter-Agency Task Force (OBE-IATF).
Member agencies are the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of National Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Energy, Philippine National Police, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services and Administration.
Schools division and city superintendents are also directed to form their local IACs, who shall designate from among their respective senior staff at least two action officers who will oversee regional and local concerns and at least four support personnel from their respective offices.
Local IACs are also tasked to set-up hotlines to receive calls, text, fax messages, and e-mails on complaints, requests and suggestions from parents and other concerned citizens as well as set-up help desks to accommodate walk-in concerns.
Dulangon said that they have made all the necessary preparations a week before the start of classes on Monday through the Brigada Eskwela.
“On June 3, full swing na gyud ang klase. Tarong na gyud ang klase. Up to June 2, some schools will still continue sa pagpanglimpyo. Maung wa nay katarungan nga dili kasugod dayon,” Dulangon said.
But Dulangon said that some schools will have to use their covered courts as classrooms since classrooms destroyed by fire and other calamities have not been rebuilt.
She is asking the parents and students to bear with the situation in the mean time.
“Mag-agwanta lang sa gyud atong mga students and teachers sa pag-gamit sa mga covered courts as their classrooms in the first few months since wala pa man mailisi ang katong mga nangasunog ug nangaguba nga mga classrooms,” Dulangon said.
Dulangon assured there is already a budget intended for the construction of new classrooms which will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Marigold P. Lebumfacil, Raffy Cabristante, Silliman University intern/MBG (FREEMAN)
10:26 AM
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