GINGOOG City — Students in public schools should not be forced or pressured to give money for school activities, projects or materials prohibited under Department of Education (DepEd) rules.
Schools Division Superintendent Edgardo Abanil issued the reminder after reports of continued collection activities in some public schools in Gingoog City.
Abanil called on all school heads, teachers and personnel to strictly and consistently enforce DepEd’s no-collection policy.
He stressed that no student should be made to feel obligated to contribute money for any school activity, project or material not allowed under existing DepEd rules.
“The school must remain safe, fair, and free from forced financial obligations for every Filipino child,” Abanil said.
Mario J. Endrina, School Governance and Operations Division supervisor, said the policy is reiterated under DepEd Memorandum No. 41, s. 2024.
The memorandum prohibits the collection of fees or contributions from school children, students and teachers, whether voluntary or otherwise, except those allowed under existing laws and regulations.
Endrina said the policy is meant to ensure that schools do not impose financial contributions on learners and teachers beyond those expressly permitted by law and DepEd rules.
Abanil also reminded school personnel that a student’s inability to contribute money should never be a reason for the child to be embarrassed, isolated or treated unfairly.
He said public education should not add to the financial burden of students’ families.
“No forced collection. No forced contribution. No student should be left behind simply because he or she cannot give,” Abanil said.
Abanil urged school officials and personnel to protect learners from unauthorized financial obligations and ensure that the no-collection policy is followed consistently.
The policy aims to protect students, parents and teachers, particularly those who may not have the financial capacity to make contributions not authorized under existing rules.
