Councilor wants city to subsidize grad fees

CEBU, Philippines - To lessen the burden on the part of parents and schools, a councilor wants the city government to subsidize graduation fees in all public elementary and high schools in Cebu City.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said subsidizing the fees would help with the schools’ expenses during graduation time, considering that the Department of Education (DepEd) prohibits schools from collecting graduation fees or contributions.

Dizon’s proposed ordinance is being reviewed by the City Council’s committee on laws.

Quoting Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, DepEd Cebu Schools Division Supterintendent, Dizon said there are usually 15,000 graduates from elementary schools and 10,500 graduates from secondary schools but schools are allowed to spend only P90 each for elementary students and P150 each for high school students from voluntary contributions from the Parent-Teacher Association. 

 Dizon is proposing that the city allocate at least P3 million a year for the program to be charged against the City-Sponsored Activities Account in the Annual Budget. Still, he wants that the amount be flexible depending on the number of graduates.

Dizon wants the amount to be given to the school directly and should be used strictly for graduation – related expenses.

 The proposed ordinance tasks the Cebu City Local School Board to draft the policies and guidelines availing of the subsidy, he said.

 Dizon said his proposal is pursuant to Section 1 Article 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states “The state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

 â€œThe local government is mandated by law to provide the necessary assistance that will promote and protect every child’s right and education,” he added. — (FREEMAN)