DepEd: Students’ uniform not mandatory in public schools

School uniforms are not mandatory while identification cards (IDs) are free of charge to all public school students nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) said after classes in public schools 

DepEd reminded the public of DepEd Order 65 s.2010 or the “General Guidelines on the Opening of Classes, Including Collection of School Contributions, Enrollment, Student Uniforms and Release of MOOE”.

“Problema ba ang uniporme? Kung hindi kayang magpagawa ay hindi dapat mag-alala. Hindi required ang uniform sa mga public schools, ayon sa (Problem with school uniforms? If you cannot afford it, there is nothing to worry about.  School uniforms are not required in public schools according to …) DepEd Order 65 s.2010,” the DepEd posted on its official Facebook account.

According to the order, the wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools.

Students with existing uniforms may continue using these uniforms, if they so desire, in order to avoid incurring additional costs for new attire.

The DepEd furthered that the IDs must be given to the students for free.

“Identification cards shall be provided to students at no cost on their part. The school administration shall fund these from its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses,” DepEd added.

The public is also encouraged to contact the department for questions or concerns through the DepEd Public Assistance Action Center at (02) 633-1942, (02) 636-1663 or 0919-456-0027; or send an email to action@deped.gov.ph.

Below are the general guidelines set by the Department of Education (DepEd) regarding school policies on which issues are still continuously raised until today.

Collection of School Contributions
DepEd Order No. 65, series of 2010

a. No fees shall be collected from schoolchildren enrolling in pre-school up to Grade 4 during the enrolment period and at any time during the school year. This prohibition shall cover the authorized but voluntary contributions such as Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis (TB) Fund and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), among others;

b. For grade and year levels beyond Grade 4, no collection of any type should be undertaken during the enrolment period and the first month of classes. Starting on the second month of every school year, contributions may be collected, but only on a voluntary basis. Please see table for the corresponding amount and reference of the following authorized contributions:

Membership Fee                      Amount                            Reference
BSP                             Php 50.00 per learner            DM No. 513, s. 2009
GSP                            Php 50.00 per learner            DM No. 235, s. 2009
Anti-TB Fund Drive    Php 5.00 per learner            DO No. 31, s. 2001
PTA To be determined by
Board of Directors                                                    DO No. 54, s. 2009
School Publication    Php 60.00 for elementary students
                                   Php 90.00 for secondary students DO No. 19, s. 2008
Membership in
student organizations Based on existing school policies DO No. 48, s. 2009
c. PTAs may start their collection only after presenting a report on the utilization of the previous school year’s collections to their members and to the school administration. The amount of contributions to the PTA shall be agreed upon in general assembly of the PTA (DepED Order No. 54, s. 2009);

d. The school publication fee shall be set at the school level but it shall not be more than Sixty Pesos (Php60.00) per elementary school pupil and Ninety Pesos (Php90.00) per secondary school student (DepEd Order No. 19, s. 2008). The publication of a school newspaper, while not mandatory, is strongly encouraged in line with the campus journalism program both at elementary and secondary levels; and

e. The membership fees for student organizations shall be set by the organization subject to existing school policies on student organizations.

Student Uniform and ID cards
DepEd Order No. 65, series of 2010

a. The wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools. Students with existing uniforms may continue using these uniforms, if they so desire, in order to avoid incurring additional costs for new attire; and

b. Identification (ID) Cards shall be provided to students at no cost on their part. The school administration shall fund these from its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

Educational Field Trips
DepEd Order No. 52, series of 2003 (Supplemental to DECS Order No. 56, s. 2001 and DepEd Order No. 51, s. 2002, and reiterated in DepEd Order No. 87, s. 2003)

a. No field trip should be undertaken without the written consent of the parents, or student’s guardians;

b. Where a majority joins the field trip, there should be no punitive measures or activities such as tests related to the trip that will put the students who could not join the field trip at a disadvantage. They should be given activities in school to compensate for their inability to join the field trip;

c. The field trip should be well prepared ahead of time with the students so that they know exactly what to look for in the field trip. Safety measures should be discussed before the field trip;

d. Places to visit should be educational places, such as cultural and historical sites or science exhibits in museums which complement or supplement classroom lessons;

e. Trip to malls and attendance at noon time TV shows, especially during class hours, are discouraged;

f. As much as possible, field trips should not put an additional financial burden on the parents. Possible sponsors or other sources can be tapped for the purpose

Sources:

• http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/DO%2052_06-23-03_00001.pdf
• http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/DO%20No.%2065,%20s.%202010.p
• Manila Bulletin