By Alma L. Tingcang
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Minoza of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Zamboanga Sibugay clarified that teachers or school principals cannot hold Form 137 or the report card of students due to non-payment of miscellaneous fees.
In a recent media interview with Doctor Minoza, she said her office had received complaints from parents regarding some teachers and school heads who did not release the report cards of students due to non-payment of miscellaneous fees.
“It should not be a basis for not releasing the report cards of students,” she emphasized.
According to Minoza, elementary and secondary education is free in all public schools and miscellaneous fees are not compulsory, especially for poor and indigent students.
Minoza emphasized that public schools do not collect tuition fees, but only dues agreed upon by the parents such as Red Cross, PTA, Anti-TB, Scouting and other fees.
Expenses incurred by the schools are drawn from its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) which is allocated based on the number of enrollees.
Dr. Minoza urged parents who have complaints regarding teachers involved in collecting illegal fees to air their sentiments and write to Dr. Amelita P. Torralba, Schools Division Superintendent of Zamboanga Sibugay Province.
She also encouraged teachers and other school officials to remain faithful to their calling and refrain from being engaged in “illegal collection activities.
