By
Emmanuel D. Taghoy
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The
Department of Education (DepEd)-Zamboanga City Schools Division announced on
Monday that all is set for the opening of classes on June 1 and it is strictly
implementing the “No Collection Policy” in all public elementary and secondary
schools in the city.
In a press conference, Dr. Rosalio Conturno
Jr., chief education supervisor and the division’s officer-in-charge said his
office had organized a monitoring committee that would respond to problems encountered
during enrolment.
Doctor Cunturno emphasized the guidelines that
every public school must adhere during enrolment, particularly the DepEd’s “No
Collection Policy.”
“Some of the schools here started the
enrollment last week up to this coming Friday. They are not allowed to collect
any amount and must follow the policy,” he said.
Based on the guidelines of DepEd Order No.
41 series of 2012, no fees shall be collected from schoolchildren enrolling in
preschool up to Grade 4 during the enrolment period and at any time during the
school year.
The prohibition shall not cover the
authorized but voluntary contributions such as Boy Scouts of the Philippines
(BSP), Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis (TB)
Fund and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), among others.
Moreover, for grade and year levels beyond
Grade 4, no collection of any type should be undertaken during the enrolment
period and the first month of classes. Starting on the second month of every
school year, contributions may be collected, but only on a voluntary basis.
“Schools will start the collection of fees
that are authorized by DepEd on the month of August which are purely voluntary
and not compulsory,” said Dr. Cunturno.
(with reports from Shiela May Aquino)
(with reports from Shiela May Aquino)
