During intense Senate plenary deliberations on the Department of Education's (DepEd) 2024 budget, Senator Raffy Tulfo presented a substantial list of complaints from parents alleging mandatory fee collections by Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in their children's schools.
The senator, known for his advocacy on public welfare issues, highlighted the persistent problem on Thursday, November 9. He underscored that these monetary contributions were allegedly being used for various school needs, including the purchase of essential school appliances or supplies like electric fans and bond paper. In more concerning instances, the collected fees were reportedly channeled towards the salaries of school janitors and guards, positions that should ideally be funded through official government allocations.
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Senator Tulfo expressed strong disapproval of the practice, stating that it places an undue financial burden on parents, especially those from low-income families, and potentially violates DepEd's standing "no collection policy."
Responding to Senator Tulfo's concerns was Senator Pia Cayetano, the budget sponsor for DepEd. She addressed the issues raised, including Senator Tulfo's proposed measures and steps to address the pervasive problem of mandatory collections. While details of Senator Cayetano's specific responses and proposed actions were not immediately elaborated in the public statement, her engagement signals a parliamentary commitment to tackling the issue.
The exchange between the two senators during the budget hearing underscores the continuing challenges faced by DepEd in ensuring truly free and accessible basic education across all public schools. It also highlights the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement of existing policies to prevent unauthorized collections that burden parents and compromise the spirit of free education.
The Department of Education has long-standing directives, such as DepEd Order No. 19, s. 2008, which strictly prohibit the collection of fees during enrollment and at any time during the school year for public elementary and secondary schools. While PTAs are allowed to accept voluntary contributions for specific projects, these must never be mandatory or linked to a student's enrollment or academic standing.
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