By Ina Hernando Malipot
As the Christmas break approaches, Education Secretary Leonor Briones has reminded public schools not to impose mandatory contributions or fees for Christmas parties.
As in the previous years, Briones said that “contributions have to be voluntary” and reiterated the long-standing “no collection” policy of the Department of Education.
She reminded all public school authorities that “collection of any fees for school activities and celebrations is strictly prohibited.”
Based on the DepEd calendar for School Year 2017-2018, students in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide will have their Christmas break from Dec. 22 (Friday) to Jan. 2 (Tuesday) to give both students and teachers time to observe the holiday season.
The schedule of the Christmas break in public schools is contained in Department Order No. 25, Series of 2017.
Classes will resume on Jan. 3. DepEd said that “private schools may deviate from this school calendar” as long as they adhere to the provisions stated in Republic Act No. 7797 or “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two-Hundred Days to Not More Than Two-Hundred Twenty Class Days.”
Private schools, the DepEd reminded, “should notify the appropriate officials in advance regarding any deviation.”