Arroyo ‘removes’ uniform requirement for poor Grade 1 pupils

(Update) MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to allow incoming Grade 1 pupils from poor families to attend school even without the proper uniform. Radio dzBB's Aileen Intia reported that President Arroyo issued the directive during her visit to Aklan province. Mrs Arroyo said she had learned that some students cannot enter Grade 1 because their parents could not afford to buy them the required uniforms. She said what is important is that the students get a decent education. The President said that if ever the proposed policy is implemented, like in the United States , the financial burdens of parents would be lightened as they would not have to struggle for money to afford school uniforms for their children. "The scrapping of uniform is part of fighting for education to help parents keep their children in school without even worrying about buying uniforms," President Arroyo said. The President's directive coincided with the Education department's launching of Brigada Eskwela, wherein school officials and students take part in cleaning school classrooms and premises. - GMANews.TV