Group urges DepEd to implement 'no collection policy' in enrollment

BY CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News

Published May 15, 2012 8:47am

With less than a month to go before school begins on June 4, a child welfare group launched a monitoring program as they urged the Department of Education to strictly implement its 'no collection policy' in public elementary and high schools.

Akap Bata Party-List's "E-monitor 2012" is a continuation of its "Gradfee Monitor 2012," which they implemented last February against the collection of fees during the graduation season in March.

"We are reiterating that in public schools, there should be no fees. Parents should not have a difficult time. It is already hard to make a living," said Arlene Brosas, national secretary-general of ABPL during a press conference on May 9 at the Bulwagang Balagtas at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Akap Bata Party-List launches "E-monitor 2012." (L-R): Lean Flores, Rep.Teddy Casiño, Arlene Brosas and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez. Carmela Lapeña

E in E-monitor stands for enrollment and education. Through the E-monitor, ABPL will receive complaints and reports from parents, guardians and concerned citizens through the hotline number (02) 4376831, e-mail addresspartylistakapbata@yahoo.com, Facebook account Akap Bata Party-List, and Twitter account @akap_bata_party beginning May 10.

ABPL assured that reports and complaints will be kept confidential.

As with the Gradfee Monitor, ABPL will coordinate with the office of Education Secretary Armin Luistro for swift action on all complaints and concerns.

"Hindi dapat manatiling nasa papel lang ang order at we want to see them in action," said Brosas, saying the DepEd should let the people know how they are enforcing the no collection policy.

In a press release, ABPL cited existing orders and memorandums on the ‘no collection policy’ on enrollment including DepEd Order No. 65, series of 2010; DepEd Order No. 19, series of 2009; DepEd Order No. 19, series of 2008; DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2008; and DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2009.

During the press conference, Bayan Muna Rep.Teddy Casiño referred to DepEd Order No. 65 series of 2010 which states that:

"No fees shall be collected from school children enrolling in pre-school up to Grade 4 during the enrollment period and at anytime during the school year"; and
"For grade and year levels beyond Grade 4, no collection of any type should be undertaken during the enrollment period and the first months of classes. Starting on the second month of every school year, contributions may be collected, but only on a voluntary basis."

Casiño reminded parents of students in public schools that they should not have to pay any fees during enrollment.

"’Yun pong mga hihingin sa mga Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts o sa Parent-Teachers Association, hindi ho ‘yan requirement sa pag-e-enroll. Eto po ay mga voluntary contributions, at kapag kayo po ay sinisingil sa panahon ng enrollment, i-report niyo ito sa Akap Bata para magawan ng aksyon ng DepEd," said Casiño.

Parents and guardians can use the hotlines to report schools that collect fees during enrollment. Poster from Akap Bata Party-List

Concerns on K+12

Apart from monitoring enrollment fees, the E-monitor may also be used to air concerns regarding the K+12 program.

"Nais din po naming makuha ‘yung mga pagtingin at mga komento ng mga magulang ng mga estudyante na anak na nabibilang sa K+12 program," said ABPL spokesperson Lean Flores, saying it is too early to implement the program.

"Masyado pang madami ‘yung kailangan nating i-address na problema sa sistema ng edukasyon sa ating bansa gaya na lang po ng kakulangan ng mga guro, kakulangan ng mga silad aralan, at iba pang mga pasilidad na ginagamit sa eskuwelahan at upuan at mga libro," said Flores.

Flores said that all the reports and concerns they receive will be consolidated into a report to be submitted to the DepEd, which welcomed the Gradfee Monitor initiative in February.

“DepEd is such a big organization and we need more hands on deck in ensuring that graduation rites are devoid of pomp and pageantry, and that no fees are collected from students,” Luistro said in a previous DepEd press release.

Meanwhile, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez urged those who will use the E-monitor to give as many details as possible. "Ang inyong tingan ay ang detalye ng paaralan kung paano ginagawa, kung ano ‘yung mga sinisingil nila. Bigyan natin ng pansin kung sino ang mga school officials na involved dito sa pagkolektang ito. Makakatulong po kung ang detalye nitong sinisingil ay makakarating sa kinauukulan," he said.

He said that citizens must not only participate in creating laws but in implementing them.

"Tinatawagan po natin ang mga magulang, ang mga nangangalaga sa ating mga kabataan, ang mga concerned citizens na makilahok sa pagpapasakatuparan ng isang magandang batas ng DepEd, at ‘yan po ay pagsuporta sa edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng pag-alis ng maaaring maging hadlang para makapagaral ang ating mga kabataan. At isa nga po rito itong iba't ibang mga nabayad sa enrollment," he said. –KG, GMA News

Tags: education, emonitor, gradfeemonitor, nocollectionpolicy, akapbata