DepEd asks parents, students to report 'forced graduation donations'

Not even graduation donations approved by the Parent-Teacher Association can be forced on graduating students, the Department of Education said Friday.

 

With just a week left before graduation, the DepEd also encouraged parents to report such forced donations to it through its email address.

 

"All PTA-approved graduation donations are VOLUNTARY. If the school says your child cannot graduate, please report to action@deped.gov.ph," it said on its Twitter account. The DepEd has been cracking down on graduation fees, warning teachers and principals of administrative sanctions if they are found enforcing them.

 

An earlier report on dzBB radio said the DepEd warned the sanctions may include suspension or even removal from the service.

 

Earlier, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro warned schools against collecting graduation fees from students or having them submit "non-academic" projects before they can graduate.

 

Luistro encouraged parents and students to use the hotlines 6361663 and 6331942 to report incidents of graduation fee collections.

 

He added schools must keep their graduation ceremonies this year simple, without need for organizing extravagant events.

 

The DepEd recommended that graduation rites be held on March 18 or 19.  — ELR, GMA News