Tulfo urges DepEd to spare students from schools’ contributions

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday urged the Department of Education to spare students from schools' collection of any contribution in exchange for extra points in the grading system.

In his interpellation during the senate plenary, Tulfo urged the DepEd officials to come up with a policy that will prohibit schools from collecting unnecessary dues and contributions to public school students—whether primary, elementary, or secondary education levels.

Tulfo then cited the Republic Act 5546 or An Act Prohibiting the Collection of Contributions from School Children of Public Primary, Intermediate, and High Schools.

Recalling the complaints he previously received, Tulfo lamented that marginalized but deserving students are being affected by the contribution collection policies in schools.

This, as some teachers are giving extra credit scores to those who can contribute something in their classrooms, he noted.

Hence, Tulfo said putting an end to such a contribution policy will push for a fair grading system.

"I want to put a stop to it. I really do, as much as possible during my watch as a senator of the republic," Tulfo said.

He emphasized that the school's collection of contributions should go through the Parents-Teachers Association and not in classrooms.

Senator Pia Cayetano, defending DepEd's 2024 budget during the senate plenary, said the DepEd officials have committed to issuing a department order to strengthen the imposition of RA 5526.