MikeLigalig.com

By Bohol Chronicle

Schools in the province - both public and private, elementary and secondary are now under scrutiny after reports reaching the Department of Education (DepEd) about the practice of barring students from taking exams pending settlement of classroom fines and other incidental fees regardless of payment of tuition fees.

The alleged blatant violations committed by some schools in Bohol has brought back to the public eye this violations of a child's human right to basic education.

"Maglibog mi kay gibayran na ang tuition fees apan ug dili mabayran ang mga classroom fines ug uban pang mga balayronon sama sa insurance dili maka-test", griped a group of parents when interviewed by the Chronicle.

Parents saddled with financial difficulties have pointed an accusing finger at conniving school personnel and teachers who have caused undue stress and embarrassment to students not allowed to take the tests and are being required to stay out of the classroom.

DepEd Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, Tonisito M.C.Umali upon receipt of the report immediately referred the information to the DepEd Communications Group which relayed without delay the complaint to the DepEd Bohol.

"I will immediately look into this upon receipt of more information from the concerned parents and students and will act immediately against this erring schools", DepEd Bohol Superintendent Lorna Rances told the Chronicle.

Reports reaching the Chronicle showed that some schools allegedly require their students to settle both their tuition fees and other classroom contributions at the same time before issuing clearance to take their exams.

Classroom fines are sanctions imposed on students for tardiness, excessive talking and other behaviours deemed violations of classroom decorum as agreed by the homeroom association or the classroom teachers and students

Homeroom associations are classroom organizations with parents/teachers and students as members.

But parents complained that "kasagaran dili mi mahibalo unsay gikasabutan sa mga magtutudlo ug tinun-an sa gidak-on sa mga silot".

According to parents, some teachers use their intimidating influence on the students to arbitrarily impose fines that are sometimes excessive.

"Worst, they use these fines as an excuse for the teachers laxity in imposing classroom discipline on the students".

The beleaguered parents lamented that these unconscionable practice has been tolerated by school authorities under the guise of student discipline.

Even donations for school facilities as agreed by the PTA are subjected to the "no exams policy" if parents could not comply with the agreed quotas.

The practice of imposing this condition has contributed to the mounting financial obligations parents are facing even as these fees violates existing policies and existing guidelines issued by the DepEd.

Only recently USEC Umali reminded teachers and school administrators from unauthorized collections warning them of administrative sanctions if found liable.

"Sa voluntary collection napakalinaw. Lahat na collection voluntary lang, hindi pwedeng sapilitan. Ang sinumang pilit mangolekta maaring patawan ng administrative complaint", Umali said in a radio interview.

Under DepEd policy there will be no collection, even if voluntary for Grades one to four. But for Grade V to fourth year high school voluntary contributions can be collected covering Boy/Girl Scouts fee up to P50, anti TB fund drive P5, reasonable PTA fee subject to consultation and school publication fee, P60 for elementary and P90 for high school students.

School principals and officials will be held liable for all unathorized collections.

DepEd Order No. 15 series of 2010 directs all schools, both private and public to allow students with unpaid fees to take their final exams.

But some schools has defied DepEd's order by including periodical exams in the "no exam" policy. A private school even denied students to take the periodical exams for non payment of insurance fee to cover possible injuries during the schools intramural games.

According to the DepEd order, private schools should be "more considerate of students with unpaid fees owing to family hardships" even if they have imposed a modest or no tuition fee increases due to current economic difficulties.

But DepEd also advised parents of students with unpaid school bills to recognize their financial obligations and arrange with school authorities the terms for the eventual settlement of their unpaid obligations.

The quick response of DepEd was made possible thru the efforts of AGHAM Partylist Representative Angelo B. Palmones who upon being informed about the matter immediately got in touch with USEC Umali.

Palmones was in Bohol to distribute weighing scales to a consumers group.(CMV)

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