Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino today announced that so far they have documented 40 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 two days ago.

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

Schools that collect graduation fees are the following:

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SUMMARY OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY KABATAAN PARTYLIST HOTLINE

(as of March 15, 2010)

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ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY KABATAAN PARTYLIST HOTLINE

(As of March 18, 2010)

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Graduation fees from these schools range from P150 to P5,000.

“This is a manifestation of the government’s lack of budget for education. Schools resort to collection and other miscellaneous fees to compensate. Graduation expenses should be included in the budget deliberations.”

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.

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. ###