Despite the order of the Department of Education (DepEd) that public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation fess or any kind of contribution for graduation rites, many parents will still pay fees for their children's graduation.

Majority of public schools, especially those in the provinces, are collecting fees related to graduation that range from P200.00 to P500.00 that will usually cover toga rental, graduation picture, decoration or rental for the venue outside school premises, food and token for the visitors or guest speaker.

Rosanna Baril, mother to 12-year-old Christy, said that she is preparing P350.00 for the graduation of her daughter in Malagasang 1 Elementary School, a public school in Imus, Cavite. The said amount, according to her, will be used to pay toga rental which is P250.00 and for the graduation picture which P100.00.

"We know that we don't have to pay anything but when we were called for a meeting, they [teachers] said that we have to pay this fee two weeks before the graduation day," she said in Filipino.

Baril, who is a plain housewife and has four other children, said that this is a burden for her because she needs to prepare money not only for the fee but for her child's expenses when she gets to high school. For her, it would be a big help if there are absolutely no fees collected for graduation.

"There are times that parents like me are having a hard time to reason out with teachers because we are afraid that they may punish our children. So, instead of reasoning out, we just keep silent and find a way to comply," she added.

When asked for a statement on the issue, the school's guidance counselor Leonor Acuna said that they are strictly adhering to the DepEd's order. "We are not collecting any fees for graduation but many parents want their children to wear togas and have their pictures taken. So, we just let them decide and we as teachers don't want to get involved in any decision made," she said.

Acuna confirmed that such amount is being collected for graduation but the parents are paying this on their own volition. "We are not forcing them and if they [parents] won't be able to pay, we don’t deprive the children their right to graduate," she stressed.

The total number of graduating for this school year is 326. Acuna also said that parents of these students were informed about the fee to be collected since February and that they all agreed to it.

All graduation rites according to DepEd must take place starting March 29 to April 9.

Since February, DepEd has already issued the Department Order No. 13 s 2010 to all bureau heads, directors of services/centers and heads of units, regional directors, school divisions/city superintendents, heads, public and private elementary and secondary schools, and all others concerned.

According to the order signed by DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation or any kind of contribution for graduation rites. "However, Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) may solicit minimal voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebration," the order said.

However, the teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection of said contributions. The use of such contributions for graduation shall be coordinated with and properly reported to the PTA members in an assembly.

The order also said that no non-academic projects shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation. No extraordinary venue for ceremonies should also be required.  "Holding the graduation within the school premises is strongly encouraged."

No special attire for the ceremonies should be required. "Wearing of togas may be allowed subject to the approval of the PTA officers and members representing the graduating class and that only the actual cost of rental togas is borne by the graduating students." Also, contributions for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis only.

"The graduation rites should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony and befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in anyway be used as a venue for political forum," the order said.

The DepEd has no specific memorandum or order on principals and teachers of public schools that will collect fees for graduation. However, administration cases may be filed if found substantive.