Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino today announced  that so far they have documented 26 schools violating “no graduation fee policy” in elementary and high schools, as per Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 13, s. 2010 or the Guidelines on Graduation Rites. Palatino said that they have received hundreds of complaints from parents since they launched their complaint hotline yesterday.

“Our hotline has been ringing non-stop, proof that the DepEd order is not being implemented,” Palatino said.

Schools where a ‘no graduation fee’ policy are not implemented include:

· Taytay Elementary School

· San Francisco Elementary School

· Trapiche Elementary School

· Sergio Osmena High School

· Buso-Buso Elementary School

· Mabolo Elementary School

· Pineda Elementary School

· San Juan National High School

· Miguel Aranda Memorial School

· Mariano Marcos State University

· Binalbagan National High School

· Anilao Elementary School

· Napoleon Solero High School

· Tala High School

· Bagumbong High School

· Indang National High School

· Sambal Elementary School

· Gen. Roxas Elementary School

· San Bartolome High School

· Bago Bantay Elementary School

· Quirino High School

· Mandaluyong Science High School

· Capol Central Elementary School

· National Comprehensive High School

· Isaac Integrated School

· Makapilapil Elementary School

· Muntinlupa National High School.

Graduation fees from these schools range from P150 to P1,150.

According to the complainants, graduation fees will be used for yearbook publication, graduation balls, togas, sound system, PTA, graduation picture, catering services, stage decorations, and transportation.

“We even received overseas calls from parents. These graduation fees are a burden even to our OFWs,” said Palatino.

“We urge the DepEd to conduct probes immediately.”

No-permit, no-exam policy now prohibited

Meanwhile, numerous complaints from parents also reported about the implementation of a ‘no permit, no exam’ in their children’s schools.

Palatino said that the DEpEd recently heeded their call to allow students with unpaid fees to take their final examinations, as per Order No. 15. January 27 of this year, Palatino sent a letter urging DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus to implement an anti-“no permit, no exam” policy after receiving streams of complaints from parents of elementary and high school students.

The youth solon said that so far they have received complaints from parents of students from Metro Manila, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna via the Kabataan Partylist Hotline.

“DepEd should strictly implement Order No. 15 especially it is exam period in schools now.”

Meanwhile, other exorbitant fees such as field trip, raffle tickets, bingo cards, and film showings were also monitored.

“Non-payment of these also resulted in students not being allowed to take exams, according to complaints from parents.”

Palatino said that their hotline is still open for complaints, telephone number: 352-1054. Complaints may also be emailed to kabataanpartylist@gmail.com.

“We will file a complaint to DepEd on Monday,” said Palatino. ###