MANILA— The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday reminded public schools to strictly adhere to its “no collection policy” during enrollment.

DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa urged parents to report to the department if fees are collected from them.

“So kapag mayroong gusto kumolekta ng kung anong fees sa kanila ay unang una wag sila magbigay at huwag silang mag-atubiling ireklamo, either sa division office nila, sa regional office or kahit sa central office na diretso para talagang maitigil natin ang ganyang practices,” Poa told ABS-CBN News.

Enrollment in public schools for the academic year 2024-2025 will run until July 26, 2024.

As the schools prepare for the opening classes, Poa said parents should not also be “required” to contribute to the needs of the schools.

“Definitely hindi [na i-require] kasi ang ating schools mayroon iyang MOOE [maintenance and other operating expenses], o iyong ginagamit nila na pondo para sa school operations,” he explained.

“Pinag-aaralan na natin iyong MOOE na alam natin na medyo kulang iyong MOOE, that is why mayroon nang pag-aaral katuwang ang ADB [Asian Development Bank] for a better formula pagdating sa MOOE kasi ang gusto talaga natin ay hindi na kailangan mag-contribute pa kung whether it is the parents or most of the time it is the teachers,” Poa added.

Nonetheless, Poa thanked teachers and parents who volunteer to contribute to the school, especially during "Brigada Eskwela", or the annual nationwide schools maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders.

This year’s Brigada will kick off on July 17, 2024 in Carmen, Cebu Province.

Solicitations for possible partners and sponsors are still not allowed, Poa said.

“As we did last year, we want it to be simple so tinanggal natin na may pa-contest pa tayo kung sino ang ‘Best Brigada Implementer’. So tinanggal na natin iyon kasi nagkakaroon kasi ng solicitation,” he said.

“Ang Brigada Eskwela naman talaga is really the spirit of the community, coming together in simple ways gaya ng paglinis ng ating paaralan, kung may kailangan na minor repairs, may magagawa, tulong tulong ang mga community to prepare our classrooms for the upcoming school year,” he added.