To: Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Chief of Service and Heads of Units/Centers
Schools Superintendents
Presidents, State Colleges and Universities
Heads of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
Vocational School Superintendents/Administrators

Consistent with applicable laws, specifically Republic Act No. 6655, otherwise known as the “Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988” and Republic Act No. 4725, entitled “An Act Prohibiting the Collection of Contributions from School Children of Public Primary and Intermediate Schools,” the following guidelines on authorized collections, are promulgated.

1. Policy on School Fees:
   1. Effective 1 July, 1988, any student enrolled in any public high school administered, managed and operated by the DECS shall be exempt from payment of school fees.
   2. Except as provided in Sec. 7 of Republic Act 6655, otherwise known as the “Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988”, no collection of any amount nor for any purpose shall be authorized in any public high school
   3. The payment of the authorized fees shall not be a requirement for enrollment purposes. It may be paid any time during the school year.
2. Policy on Non-Observance of Guidelines
   Any person, school or PTA official who does not observe these Guidelines or shall collect any amount in violation of existing laws, shall be dealt with in accordance with the applicable penal laws. In additional, a public school official or teacher may be held liable administratively, if warranted.
3. Efffectivity
   These Policy Guidelines shall be effective immediately, and strict compliance is hereby enjoined.

(SGD.) LOURDES R. QUISUMBING
Secretary

Reference: DECS Orders: Nos. 40 and 44, s. 1988
Allotment: 1-2-3-4–(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual – Index under the following subjects:
CONTRIBUTION
POLICY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
SCHOOLS
STUDENTS
TEACHERS

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